Social Media Fact-Checker Transparency and Accountability Act
Section 1: Introduction and Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure transparency, accountability, and credibility in social media fact-checking. Given the essential role that fact-checkers play in shaping public discourse, it is imperative that individuals and organizations responsible for fact-checking on social media platforms are qualified, transparent, and clear in their communication with the public.
Section 2: Identification and Qualification Requirements for Fact-Checkers
2.1 Transparency of Fact-Checker Identities
• All fact-checkers must clearly identify themselves on their social media profiles. This includes both individual fact-checkers and those representing organizations.
• Fact-checkers are required to provide:
• Their full name or the name of the organization they represent.
• Contact information for inquiries.
• A dedicated page on their profile outlining their role and responsibility in fact-checking on social media.
2.2 Display of Credentials and Qualifications
• To ensure that fact-checkers are adequately qualified, all individuals or entities engaged in fact-checking must display their relevant qualifications on their social media profiles.
• Acceptable qualifications may include, but are not limited to:
• Degrees in journalism, law, political science, public policy, data science, or other relevant fields.
• Certifications from reputable fact-checking organizations (such as the International Fact-Checking Network).
• Relevant professional experience in investigative journalism, research, or academic work on misinformation and verification.
Section 3: Policy Specification Requirements for Fact-Checking Decisions
3.1 Detailed Policy Citations
• Fact-checkers must reference specific sections of platform policies when labeling or challenging a piece of content. Vague or catch-all terms are insufficient for a determination; precise policy language must be provided.
• Fact-checkers should link directly to platform policy documents or official guidelines on misinformation to allow users to verify the policy’s relevance themselves.
3.2 Clear Explanation of Policy Violations
• Fact-checks must include a brief, plain-language summary explaining how the content violates a specific policy.
• The explanation should be legible and easily understood by a general audience, avoiding legal or technical jargon whenever possible.
Section 4: Appeals and Review Process
4.1 Right to Appeal
• Users should have the right to appeal fact-check decisions that impact their content. A clear and structured appeal process must be provided, with specified response timelines.
• Fact-checkers must clearly display the appeals process on their profile or in each fact-check notice.
4.2 Third-Party Review
• An independent third-party review board, composed of professionals from legal, journalistic, and academic fields, will oversee appeals to provide checks and balances on fact-checking accuracy and fairness.
Section 5: Public Reporting and Accountability
5.1 Monthly Transparency Reports
• Fact-checking entities must publish monthly reports detailing the volume of fact-checks, common policy violations, and the outcomes of appeals.
• These reports must be made publicly available, providing a measure of transparency into the fact-checking process and identifying any patterns in content flagged.
5.2 Accountability for Violations of Fact-Checking Protocol
• Fact-checkers who fail to comply with these requirements may be subject to removal or suspension from the platform’s official fact-checking program.