Twitter announced a test of a new feature called “Fact Network” today. This experiment aims to highlight news organizations known for reliable reporting. The company wants to help users find trustworthy news sources directly on the platform.
(Twitter Tests ‘Fact Network’ for News Sources)
The “Fact Network” label will appear next to links shared by certain publishers. This label indicates Twitter believes these sources consistently share factual information. Users might see it on tweets linking to news articles. Twitter is testing this feature with a small group of users in the United States first.
Twitter stated the goal is combating misinformation. They want users to easily identify credible news. The company is selecting publishers based on specific criteria. These criteria include a history of accurate reporting and corrections. Adherence to recognized journalistic standards is also important.
“We see people struggle to find reliable news online,” said a Twitter spokesperson. “This test explores a simple way to signal trusted sources. We want to support informed discussions.” The company emphasized this is an early experiment. They plan to gather feedback before considering a wider launch.
Twitter confirmed the labels are automated. They rely on external assessments of publisher credibility. Human review teams will also monitor the system’s performance. The test does not involve paid partnerships. Inclusion in the “Fact Network” is not available for purchase.
(Twitter Tests ‘Fact Network’ for News Sources)
The feature will be visible on both iOS and Android apps. Desktop users might see it later. Twitter stressed this is just one effort to improve information quality. They continue working on other tools to fight false news. The company will monitor how users interact with the labels. They will assess the impact on sharing behavior. User feedback during this test phase is crucial. Twitter needs to understand if the labels are helpful.
