Daily Archives: February 3, 2022

On 3 November, Howard Kaplan, a retired dentist from Israel, posted a British Medical Journal (BMJ) investigation to a private Facebook group. The article reported poor practices occurring at Ventavia, a research company contracted to run three trial sites for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

The article brought record traffic to bmj.com, and was widely shared on Twitter. But a week later, Kaplan woke up to a message from Facebook. The Facebook Thought Police has issued me a dire warning, he posted. Facebooks independent fact-checker doesnt like the wording of the article by the BMJ. And if I dont delete my post, they are threatening to make my posts less visible If it seems like Ive disappeared for a while, youll know why. Other BMJ readers also reported problems sharing the story.

There are now around 300 fact-checking organisations across the world, many of them fledgling companies with small budgets. Facebook in particular bestows a great deal of authority upon its 80 third-party fact checkers. But our recent experience at the BMJ, an established global publication, is that fact-checking can be incompetent, irresponsible and capable of suppressing already fully sourced and peer-reviewed journalism.

As well as warning Kaplan and othersnot to share the story, the BMJ investigation was given a Facebook Missing Context label. (These warn that this information could mislead people.) Readers were directed to a fact check article by Lead Stories, one of seven companies contracted by Facebook in the US, whose tagline is debunking fake news as it happens. (According to an analysis last year, Lead Stories was responsible for half of all Facebook fact checks.)

Our investigation was based on dozens of documents, provided by an experienced clinical trial auditor-turned-whistleblower, Brook Jackson. But the Lead Stories article said that none of the flaws Jackson had identified would disqualify the data collected from the main Pfizer vaccine trial. Quoting a Pfizer spokesperson, it said the drug company had reviewed an anonymous complaint and that actions were taken to correct and remediate: Pfizers investigation did not identify any issues or concerns that would invalidate the data or jeopardize the integrity of the study, it concluded. Lead Stories identified no factual inaccuracies in the BMJs article but consistent with Facebooks policy of combating misinformation over Covid-19, the platform reduced the articles distribution.

When the BMJ asked Lead Stories to remove its article and the missing context label, pointing out errors in its own post (including describing the BMJ as a news blog), Lead Stories declined. Its editor, Alan Duke, told the BMJ that the missing context label was created by Facebook specifically to deal with content that could mislead without additional context but which was otherwise true or real Sometimes Facebooks messaging about the fact checking labels can sound overly aggressive and scary. If you have an issue with their messaging you should indeed take it up with them as we are unable to change any of it. Duke added that the article was being shared by anti-vaccine activists, even though it did not suggest that the overall findings of the Pfizer trial had been skewed.

The BMJ wrote an open letter to the Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, appealing the rating. Zuckerberg didnt respond, but Lead Stories did. (It is an irony not lost on us that Nick Clegg, head of global affairs and communications at Meta, Facebooks parent company, is the grandson of Hugh Clegg, editor-in-chief of the BMJ from 1946 to 1965.) In a new blog post, the fact checkers cast doubt on our whistleblowers credibility, saying that Jackson was not a lab-coated scientist and that her qualifications amounted to a 30-hour certification in auditing techniques. (Jackson has more than 15 years experience in clinical research coordination and management.) Lead Stories added that Jackson did not express unreserved support for COVID vaccines, pointing to two tweets posted after the BMJs investigation. One criticised a Sesame Street episode in which Big Bird gets a Covid vaccine; another approved a US court ruling against mandating vaccination for federal employees.

Should Facebook compel anyone to express unreserved support on any one issue? Gary Schwitzer, adjunct associate professor of public health at the University of Minnesota and publisher of HealthNewsReview, which grades US news organisations health reporting, told us: Its absolutely immaterial to the topic at hand. For it to be in this independent review, I think says more about the reviewer than the reviewee. Schwitzer told the BMJ the processes by which Facebook decides what gets fact-checked, and the contractors systems for deciding which pieces they review are not transparent or consistent enough.

[See also: Its the tech giants, not socialist politicians, who are coming for our liberty]

On 20 December, Lead Stories posted a series of inflammatory tweets criticising the BMJ and Paul Thacker, the author of the investigation. One said: Hey @bmj_latest, when your articles are literally being republished by a website run by someone in the Disinformation Dozen perhaps you should be reviewing your editorial policies instead of writing open letters. (The article had been republished outside the BMJs licence terms on an anti-vax site; the journal asked the site to take it down.)

When the BMJ appealed directly to Facebook, it was told: Fact checkers are responsible for reviewing content and applying ratings, and this process is independent from Meta. Metas Oversight Board, which last year removed Donald Trump from the platform, refused to consider the BMJs appeal, saying that fact checking labels arent something the Boards decisions currently cover.

So, in the absence of anything else, it is left to users to debate the fact checkers. Jillian York, director for international freedom of expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told the BMJ: I worry about the amount of power placed in the hands of these third-party groups While I do see a role for fact-checking and think its far superior to the alternative which is Facebook just taking down content I still worry about the effect that it can have on legitimate sources.

Allowing fact checkers to take an editorial position is a concern for journalism more widely.Companies like Facebook and some of the traditional media establishments are reasonably concerned about vaccine misinformation, York said. But they have swung so far in the opposite direction as to potentially shut down legitimate questions about major corporations like Pfizer. The medical industry has a history of suppressing certain information, she added; it is important that journalists can question it. The BMJ is making a final appeal to Metas Oversight Board, but for now its investigation remains obscured on Facebook.

The unanswered question, according to the BMJs editor-in-chief Kamran Abbasi, is: why is Facebook doing this? What is driving its world view? Is it ideology? Is it commercial interests? Is it incompetence? And in the future, who can readers trust: journals like the BMJ, a reputable publisher since 1840, staffed by doctors, journalists, technical editors and statisticians or Facebook and its fact checkers?

Rebecca Coombes is head of journalism at the BMJ. Madlen Davies is the journals investigations editor.

Sign up for The New Statesmans newsletters Tick the boxes of the newsletters you would like to receive. Morning Call Quick and essential guide to domestic and global politics from the New Statesman's politics team. World Review The New Statesmans global affairs newsletter, every Monday and Friday. The New Statesman Daily The best of the New Statesman, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Green Times The New Statesmans weekly environment email on the politics, business and culture of the climate and nature crises - in your inbox every Thursday. This Week in Business A handy, three-minute glance at the week ahead in companies, markets, regulation and investment, landing in your inbox every Monday morning. The Culture Edit Our weekly culture newsletter from books and art to pop culture and memes sent every Friday. Weekly Highlights A weekly round-up of some of the best articles featured in the most recent issue of the New Statesman, sent each Saturday. Ideas and Letters A newsletter showcasing the finest writing from the ideas section and the NS archive, covering political ideas, philosophy, criticism and intellectual history - sent every Wednesday. Events and Offers Sign up to receive information regarding NS events, subscription offers & product updates.

Follow this link:

In trying to tackle fake news, Facebook is cracking down on real science - The New Statesman

Lucknow: The assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh this time are going to be held in many respects. Due to Corona, the powerful means of publicity has been left only on social media. Due to the election commission's ban on rallies, social media has now become a weapon to campaign and create an atmosphere. Who is trending where, which event will polarize the vote in the public. Such efforts are being made.

Amidst all these efforts, the challenge for the UP Police has also increased. Since the code of conduct came into force, more than 700 cases have been reported on social media, in which more than 150 cases have even had to be registered by the police. The challenge of fake news through social media for the police is increasing day by day. Recently, a 2-year-old video of Etah, in which a child is being beaten up by police officers. By calling that old video a fresh video, questions have been raised on the functioning of the UP Police and the state government. When the social media of the UP Police found out the reality of the viral video, the case turned out to be 2 years old. The UP Police has informed this on social media from the handle of its UP police fact check.

The DGP headquarters has started a social media monitoring cell with 10 policemen to deal with those who disturb the electoral atmosphere on social media. But in view of the ever-increasing complaints, today more than 40 policemen have been deployed in this cell to keep an eye on every platform of social media. The UP Police has also appealed to the public to use the Twitter handle of @uppolicefact Check to check the veracity of any picture, video that is going viral on social media.

Uproar over Muslim University, CM Dhami and Harish Rawat came face to face

Owaisi's MPs protest against Maharashtra govt's new liquor policy

Arvind Kejriwal's big announcement - these farmers will get compensation soon

Excerpt from:

Be Aware! Fake news spreading in UP elections, more than 700 cases found - News Track English

According to a report published in the Indian Express, the Director Generals of several Central Armed Forces were not invited to the Republic Day Parade this year. However, this turned out to be misleading information because all of the DGs were invited to the Parade, and several of them attended the event.

The report read, The DGPs of the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITB, and SSB were not invited to the Republic Day parade. The omission is perceived as a snub to the one odd million personnel of the central forces. The claim appeared in an opinion piece titled Why PM Modi wasted no time in installing Netajis statue by Coomi Kapoor, where it was added under the section titled Not Invited.

However, this claim has turned out to be false, as several CAPFs have refuted the report and informed their chiefs were invited to the parade and they have attended the same.

This misinformation was first countered by the Twitter handle of Central Reserved Police forces (CRPF). It tweeted The information published in @IndianExpress that DG CRPF was not invited to Republic Day Parade is not just incorrect but also ill intended and insulting to the Force. Shri Kuldiep Singh, DG CRPF, was invited to the Republic Day Parade which he attended.

Similarly, Indo-Tibetan Border Police also refuted the claim. The CAPF said that DG ITBP was invited & attended the Parade. ITBP also added that it was for the 1st time that the Janbaz bikers of ITBP displayed a brave show at the parade.

It is notable that DG ITBP Sanjay Arora also has the additional charge of SSB. Therefore, even though SSB has not issued any statement regarding the Indian Express report, their chief was invited to the parade and he had attended the same.

Central Industrial Security Force tweeted to inform that the Indian Express report was fake. It said that DG CISF Sheel Vardhan Singh was invited to the 73rd Republic Day parade at Rajpath, New Delhi, and he attended the same. The information published in news paper stating that DsG of CAPF were not invited at the Republic Day Parade 2022 is incorrect, CISF said.

BSF has not responded to the report yet, but given that the DGs of all other CAPFs were invited to the parade and they attended the same, it can be said with reasonable certainty that DG BSF was also invited.

After the individual CAPFs refuted the report, Indian Express removed the Not Invited section from the article. It added an Editors note saying The last item in this article titled Not invited was incorrect and has been removed. The error is regretted.

It should be mentioned that Indian Express has been accused of disseminating fake news and promoting misinformation on countless occasions.

Very recently, when PM Modis convoy was blocked in Ferozepur Punjab and his security was breached, The Indian Express reported that Khalistani slogans were raised by the BJP workers near the Ludhiana DCs office. The truth, however, was far from the catchy headline that IE had picked. Conversely, IEstated in the same article that the slogans raised by BJP activists were Khalistania da yaar Channi Murdabad (friend of Khalistanis, Channi Murdabad) and Attwadian nu panah den wala Channi Murdabad (one who host terrorists, Channi murdabad). PM Modis convoy was blocked when he was heading towards Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district of Punjab to visit the National Martyrs Memorial and subsequently address a public meeting.

More:

Indian Express spreads fake news, CAPFs refute its report that their DGs were not invited to Republic Day parade - OpIndia

Scorpions players went on social media to express their disappointment on their current situation in Cameroon, saying that they were stuck, disrespected and devalued in Cameroon.

According to them, they could not accept the situation anymore, noting that they wanted to go home and return to their various clubs.

We cannot accept this. There is no respect for us. The public needs to know about the truth. They (the NCC) are telling the public so much fake and untrue news about our return, said Ebrima Sohna, Scorpions midfielder, who went live on Instagram.

He added that the people should have known that what was said was fake news immediately when they didnt see them (players) in Banjul on Monday at 3 p.m. as scheduled.

We understand a lot of people went to the airport on Monday. This is where they started telling lies to people. We as players did not even know when we were returning or coming back to Gambia. So why are they telling people that we are coming home when we as players didnt even know when we were coming back?

Lamin Jallow, the Scorpions winger, said that they didnt see or receive the $10, 000 match bonuses promised to them.

Our round of eight match money is still not given to us. We are sacrificing for our country The Gambia. We are dying for the colours of the country. We are doing this for the country, our children and the next generation, he said.

According to him, this has really made them angry, noting that they gave so many lies to their clubs.

There are fines already being made to some of us (the players). I have accepted mine and will pay it when I return.

He continued: They told us that we will go and have our flight. We were told that we will go and see the Gambian leader, Adama Barrow. We went down and packed our bags but we didnt see anything. This should stop. Football is being run by money. If we dont have money it is better we stop playing football.

This is very sad. Some other nations that were eliminated before us all went home and their players returned to their clubs. This is very sad.

Our club director called me and I have been telling lies to him because I have no choice. Players are here, some of them return to their clubs. Let no one go to the airport because there are not many of us here. There are about 15 players remaining here. Some of the players returned to their clubs on Monday because they are supposed to play on the weekend while some of them got injured and needed to go for treatment.

Modou Barrow: They are not honest to us. We dont know when to go home. Our clubs are calling us and we dont know what to say. We are tired of this and tired of lying to our clubs.

Sulayman Marreh: This situation is very sad. Players dont deserve this. Some Players have already left and this is very unprofessional and its too much now.

Modou Jobe Toldo: As the boys said, this is whats happening. We are all very discouraged.

Muhammed Mbye said: They are doing this as one team. The difficulties have been too much. We are stuck here in Cameroon and we cannot go home. These people are disrespecting us too much.

We always sacrifice for our own country but still there is no respect. We always suffer too much.

Tom Saintfiet, Gambias coach also said that the situation was frustrating, noting that they wanted to go home.

Bakary Y. Badjie, chairman of the National Coordinating Committee (NCC) reacted to the players comments and their situation in Cameroon in an interview with Gambian journalists in Cameroon, saying that it was very unfortunate that they were delayed for about 24 hours.

We were supposed to leave here (Cameroon) 48 hours after our elimination which was on Monday. By arrangement, we were supposed to leave Cameroon on Monday, but unfortunately the company that was contracted to do the services failed us. Just to set the record straight. This has nothing to do with the government, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) or the National Coordinating Committee (NCC). Yes, we take the responsibility as NCC that is responsible for the coordination of all the arrangements.

The minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Badjie has now confirmed that they were scheduled to leave Cameroon 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, yesterday, adding that it was nobodys intention to be delayed on their return.

Reacting to the players comments, Minister Badjie said: It was unfortunate that one or two players are complaining about match bonuses. I dont know what match bonuses they are talking about. We never told the public how much players are paid or given match bonuses.

He added that each player should be paid 2500 for every match that they win, according to the Bonus Scheme. He said that players were paid 2500 each in all the matches they won.

When they qualified for the round of 16. They were each paid 6500. We dont owe them and I dont even know why that is an issue. The only thing that I think maybe they are talking about is the $10, 000 that we said.

The $10, 000 was very clear. I was not even here. I was in Banjul. But the president told me that the players want to know how much we are going to compensate them from the $1.175 million that CAF will give if they get to the quarterfinal. And we consulted before announcing. We have consulted and we have agreed that we are going to give each player $10, 000 from the money that CAF is going to give for reaching the quarterfinal.

This is simple. You dont exit from a competition and CAF draws a cheque. Instead, they wait until when the tournament is over and maybe they (CAF) will take a month or two before transferring the money to the GFF.

He added that he doesnt understand why the players are talking about the $10, 000 promise when they know that the money is supposed to come from CAF.

I felt so disappointed that the players knew exactly what the $10, 000 is about but yet they still decided to bring it as an issue, he said.

Meanwhile, according to Bakary Y. Badjie, the Scorpions and the Gambian delegation arrived in Banjul around 11 p.m. last night.

Read the original here:

Gambian players hit out at NCC for giving fake news to Gambians As players expressed disappointment at their situation in Cameroon - The Point - The...