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Facebook to launch fact-checking in Canada to stop spread of fake news

In this May 16, 2012, file photo, the Facebook logo is displayed on an iPad.
In this May 16, 2012, file photo, the Facebook logo is displayed on an iPad. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Facebook Canada will launch a third-party, fact-checking program to root out fake news and provide users with more context on articles they read on the platform.

The program is a collaboration with newswire service Agence France-Presse, who will have fact-checkers in Canada to review stories from local news outlets and rate their accuracy.

Content the fact-checkers deem to be false or a mixture of accurate and inaccurate will appear lower in news feeds and be accompanied with related, true articles from fact-checkers.

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Pages that repeatedly share fake news will see their ability to monetize and advertise removed after several offences.

Publishers responsible for false stories will have the chance to dispute any inaccurate ratings they receive and will be able to issue corrections.

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Facebook has long been the subject of complaints around fake news, which some say the platform has allowed to spread.

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