On YouTube, we’re expanding information panels giving topical context to Singapore, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. Now, when people search videos on certain topics prone to misinformation (such as climate change), they’ll see an information panel at the top of their search results or under a video they’re watching which includes links to additional info and context from authoritative third-party sources.
These features are not only key to helping people get more context as they search and watch, but also to ensure that access to quality information is always available. That’s why we’re also supporting fact-checking networks across all countries in the region by providing misinformation training for journalists. Over the past several years, we’ve trained more than 177,500 journalists in 17 countries and regions across Asia Pacific.
Building on our work to address misinformation, Google and YouTube announced last November a $13.2 million grant to the International Fact-Checking Network at the Poynter Institute to launch a new Global Fact Check Fund. The Fund will support IFCN’s network of 135 fact-checking organizations from 65 countries, covering over 80 languages. This is Google and YouTube’s single largest grant in fact-checking.
Across Asia Pacific, it’s been incredible to see the impact of initiatives like CekFakta, a collaborative fact-checking and verification project. Last December, we announced that we’re committing $1.2 million to support CekFakta and Indonesian journalists, fact-checkers and citizens to fight misinformation ahead of the 2024 election.