With the Google News Initiative, the technological giant intends to fight 'fake news'

Leer en español: Google destinará USD300 millones para apoyar el periodismo

With the aim of encouraging quality journalism and combat 'fake news', Google will allocate 300 million dollars to create new tools and news writing associations which would allow sustainable business models and improved standards in the practices of the media.

With the launch of Google News Initiative, the technological giant aims to help companies engaged in the creation and distribution of information to acquire subscribers through a service called 'Subscribe with Google'. This assistance allows users to buy a subscription directly with the media outlet of interest, making sure that the information received in return will be reliable, accurate, with investigative quality and without manipulation.

The initiative was approved after Google, Facebook and Twitter, faced criticism regarding their participation in the campaigns for the US presidential election, when they would have helped distribute false and malicious information in benefit of the nomination of Donald Trump.

Among the first media that joined the initiative of Google are The New York Times, The Financial Times, Le Figaro and The Telegraph. In addition, it is expected that this list will continue to expand during the execution of the project.

A perpetual struggle

Distinguishing what is true or not in the media has always been a struggle for organizations and individuals that watch over the distribution of truthful information. The collaboration of technology companies, such as Google, with the media is not a new strategy, given that since the last 15 years both sectors have worked hand in hand to ensure comprehensive results for information consumers.

However, the prominence of social networks and business models for journalism that change dramatically every day, make it difficult to control the creation and distribution of content. This phenomenon translates IGNORE INTO a large uninformed population mass vulnerable to political and cultural manipulations that polarize and deteriorate the development of communities in the world.

Other tools for media and journalists

In its official Google News Initiative announcement, the technology giant said its "mission to build a more informed world is inherently associated with the work of journalists and the media." Therefore, the company simulteanously announced the launch of a tool that uses artificial intelligence to recognize potential subscribers. This is called 'Propensity to Subscribe' and will be integrated IGNORE INTO a Google Analytics panel that will help the media enhance their audience analysis.

In addition, Google presented an new tool that allows both independent journalists and those associated with media companies to have access to a VPN, a private virtual network that allows access to information through the internet in a secure way. With this, the North American company intends to grant safe working conditions to information specialists and contribute to the reduction of crimes and threats that thousands of journalists in the world face every day, especially in regions such as Latin America.

Latin American Post | Krishna Jaramillo

Translated from "Google destinará USD300 millones para apoyar el periodismo"