It is an unprecedented report that was eagerly awaited. The Superior Audiovisual Council (CSA) has just unveiled a very first assessment of the application of the "law against the manipulation of information", called "fake news law". In an 87-page report, the audiovisual gendarme believes that social networks and online platforms - Google, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, LinkedIn, Microsoft, JeuxVideo.com, Dailymotion, Doctissimo or even Wikipedia - have taken good measures against infox, but must be more transparent and effective.
The CSA notes "in a general way" that "the operators seized the stake of the fight against the diffusion of false information, by following several of its recommendations". Nevertheless, "these measures still need to be deepened". All operators have set up information reporting systems, but these systems could be simplified, and users remain poorly informed about the follow-up to the procedure.
- More transparency on reports and moderation
The operators did not provide enough information concerning the processing of these reports and the "human resources" they devote to them, preventing "from fully appreciating the scope of the means implemented to meet the objectives of the law" . "The information provided is, on certain points, evasive (with a few exceptions such as Facebook)", notes the CSA.
“To justify this choice, some argue the need to protect moderation teams. If the size of the workforce is an element rather informed by the operators, precise elements have not always been given on the training of moderators and the organization of work. However, this information guarantees the transparency and fairness of the procedures ”.
- More transparency on algorithms
The CSA also asks for “increased transparency” concerning the algorithms which identify infoxes. It encourages operators to become more involved in information education and to strengthen their partnerships with the media.
The vast majority of platforms have not specified either "the measures allowing sponsored content to gain visibility, which are at the heart of their economic model" but can also disseminate misleading information. The CSA calls on them to take measures to demonetize pages spreading false information.
- Improve user remedies
The Superior council of audio-visual wishes that the means of recourse vis-a-vis a decision of the operators are more "clear, exhaustive and transparent". Users can only be empowered if “the framework in which their freedom is exercised” is “balanced and predictable”, he emphasizes.
The law against the manipulation of information, adopted at the end of 2018, aims to stem the dissemination of infox during election campaigns. It provides that online platforms take measures against infox, in particular by setting up reporting mechanisms, and obliges them to report their efforts to the CSA in an annual declaration.
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