Paris (AFP)
AFP announced Thursday the launch of a new fact-checking program with TikTok to fight disinformation on the hugely popular video app.
The agreement provides for AFP teams to check potentially false or misleading content in videos posted on the platform in countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand.
This verification work will allow TikTok to fight against disinformation by removing problematic content and informing its users.
"AFP is delighted to put its international fact-checking expertise at the service of this exciting project with TikTok," said AFP chief information officer Phil Chetwynd.
"Reaching new audiences on social networks, through evidence-based journalism, is a major editorial priority for AFP."
"And this agreement will also allow AFP journalists to better cover and track down trends in disinformation, both on our threads or on our site specializing in fact-checking, factuel.afp.com", Mr Chetwynd continued.
AFP will retain full editorial independence in the choice of content from TikTok that will be verified.
"At TikTok, we are actively working to create a safe and supportive environment for our users," said Arjun Narayan, Director of Trust and Security for Asia-Pacific at TikTok.
"We will continue to keep misleading content and accounts off our platform through our fact-checking program."
Since its creation in 2017, AFP's fact-checking service has grown to form the world's largest network of journalists dedicated to this mission.
AFP now has more than 90 journalists in 38 offices investigating content circulating online in 80 countries and producing in 16 languages, including French, English, Arabic, Burmese and Czech.
AFP is already participating in "Third party fact-checking", a verification program by media developed by Facebook, which pays around sixty media around the world, generalist or specialized, for the use of their "fact-checks" "on his platform and on Instagram.
© 2020 AFP