The study published by the London-based Global Disinformation Index shows that around 20.000 websites described as posing a disinformation risk are receiving around 200 million euros annually in advertisement from some of the world's biggest companies, including German companies, as DW found. Many of these big companies are likely to be unaware of the issue.
Tell us more about this. How come they are unaware?
This happens, according to the study, because of the way advertising works online. According to the authors, most online ads are now placed by software that buys and sells ad space across the internet. Only after the ad has been placed, can a company discover where their content has appeared. This is a system that has been described as a sort-of Wild Wild West, one that lacks transparency and one that would need more regulation to prevent, for example, that major brands unwittingly fund disinformation platforms.
What is being done to deal with the very complex and very important issue of misinformation or fake news?
This is a challenge that affects governments, social media platforms and users and, as such, response has come in different levels: from laws, task forces and media literacy campaigns to measures aimed at reducing the economic incentives of misinformation. In Germany, in particular, a law was passed which forces online platforms to remove illegal posts or otherwise face very big fines. It has been praised by some, but it has also raised concerns about the possible risks to freedom of expression. This is Thomas Sparrow, DW Political Correspondent, reporting from Berlin for Vietnam Television.
Thank you very much Thomas.
