Reuters, the world’s largest multimedia news provider, announced today it will join International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and WhatsApp’s Vaccine Grant Program to expand efforts in tackling health-related misinformation in Spanish. By leveraging the expertise of Reuters global fact-checking unit and award-winning graphics team, Reuters will produce and distribute a new series of graphics to help combat the spread of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation.
With support from the Vaccine Grant Program, Reuters will debunk false narratives targeting the Hispanic population in the U.S. and the wider population in Mexico by creating and distributing mobile-ready, graphics-based fact-checks in Spanish.
Fact-checks created by Reuters Graphics will be available on Reuters Connect to be used by media clients, free of charge.
Reuters has also partnered with UNO TV to amplify the fact-checks on UNO TV’s homepage throughout Mexico. UNO TV leverages Telcel services, reaching more than 70 million users daily in Mexico via a series of SMS text messages. These SMS include the top news headlines of the day with a link back to UNO TV homepage where Reuters fact-checks will be available.
“Misinformation about vaccines is an increasing concern for the public, and we’re deeply committed to identifying and fact-checking to stop the spread of harmful fallacies,” said Hazel Baker, Head of UGC Newsgathering, Reuters. “With false content readily shared online, it is imperative that we help debunk misinformation for communities around the world, and the Vaccine Grant Program and UNO TV allows us to further those efforts.”
“As always, UNOTV is committed to providing verified and truthful information to our readers and we are excited to be partnering up with Reuters in this initiative to help disseminate verified information about the COVID vaccines in Mexico,” said Arturo Elias, UNOTV Director.
[Reuters PR blog post]
Media contact:
Deepal.Patadia @ tr.com