This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
Facebook Inc has announced a significant change in its approach to delivering trending news, marking a shift away from relying solely on algorithms. The company plans to hire professional journalists to select the top national news stories of the day, which will appear in a section called the News Tab.
According to Facebook, the News Tab will be a separate section from the traditional news feed, which displays updates and content from users' friends and relatives. The company's journalists will curate stories from news sites, but will not edit headlines or write content.
Facebook's decision to introduce human moderators comes after the company shut down its Trending Topics section last year, following accusations of suppressing stories about conservative issues. The company has consistently stated that it does not want to be considered a media organization that makes major editorial decisions.
However, experts have expressed skepticism about the impact of the News Tab, with some arguing that it may not change the behavior of individuals who share stories on their feeds. Danna Young, a communications professor at the University of Delaware, noted that the power of social media lies in the tacit stamp of approval given by individuals who share stories.
Facebook's move to introduce human moderators is part of a broader effort to boost journalism, particularly local news organizations. The company has announced a $300 million investment over three years to support journalism, and has also funded fact-checking projects around the world, including Africa Check, which has incorporated Kiswahili and other African languages to curb the spread of fake news.
