With the world pumped with misinformation at time of Coronavirus, the United Nations have come up with a new platform – the Verified — for providing accurate information. Verified will create a cadre of “digital first responder” for providing accurate and trusted information.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the virtual spaces cannot be given for those who indulge in lies, hate and fear. Noting that misinformation is spread in message apps and person to person, the UN chief said that the perpetrators use savvy production and distribution methods.
Verified will provide information around three themes; science (to save lives), solidarity ( promote local and global cooperation); and solutions (advocate for support for populations). The World agency also asked people around the globe to sign up as volunteers with the platform. They are asked to share trusted information.
The volunteers of Verified are called “digital first respondens”. They will receive daily feed of verified content for sharing on social media platforms. It would also partner with other agencies of UN. The UN Department of Global Communications will lead the verified platform.
UN communications department head Melissa Fleming said that misinformation spread through digital channels was impeding pandemic response and stirring unrest in several countries. “There are disturbing efforts to explore the crisis to advance nativism or to target minority groups, which could worsen as the strain on societies grows and the economic and social fallout kicks in,” Melissa Fleming said.
