Here, we provide interesting links from around the web that discuss issues regarding the verification processes of content from social media: What tools, services and initiatives are there? Who is doing what? What’s the state of affairs regarding eyewitness media and related issues? Here is our list for this week.

Clearance required?

When dealing with user generated content (UGC), it is not only imperative to check whether the content can be verified. Moreover, newsgatherers need to assess “the level of clearance required before using UGC”. This article discusses possible issues, such as crediting the creator, potential requests for payments, and adequate ways of using the content.

Source: Taylor Wessing

Nepal pictures from Vietnam go viral

Yet another example of a picture which went viral in the wrong context. The BBC discusses the origin of a picture showing two siblings, alledgedly coming from Nepal. However, the photo was taken in Vietnam – almost 10 years ago. Here you can find an interview with the original photographer.

Source: BBC

Urban Legends

Ever heard of the “Kentucky Fried Rat”? This article discusses why specifically disgusting stories tend to go viral more easily:  “The yuckiness of a story contributes to its appeal.”

Source: Niemanlab.

Fact-checking has become fashionable

This blog post discusses how important verification is and points out two different examples which show how different the verification process sometimes needs to be. For instance, journalists must deal with so-called astroturfing strategies by various companies. The author argues that debunking these stories can actually become a story of its own, concluding: “If you see something which is too good to be true, you may find that debunking it is worth far more in terms of traffic than fighting for attention among the dozens of outlets who merely repeat it.”

Source: Online Journalism Blog

Studies on political misperception and fact-checking on Twitter

Last week, two studies were released which are part of the “API’s Fact-Checking Project”.  One report is about political misconceptions in society and how they can be corrected. The other report discusses fact-checkig on Twitter.

Source: American Press Institute