Broadcasters' Trustworthy Journalism and Innovative Fact-Checking Combat Misinformation

November 15, 2023

With AI fueling what Axios recently called "a perfect misinformation storm" online, local TV and radio stations and broadcast networks continue to report the facts, investigate complex stories and provide Americans' most trusted news.

Half of all Americans say they rely on broadcast radio or television stations the most for trusted news. Fighting against news deserts, broadcasters are investing time and resources into investigative news – a public service that online sources cannot replicate. More Americans believe local broadcasting does a better job of solving problems in our communities, educating people about important local issues and providing information than social media and personal networks.

To combat online misinformation and keep Americans informed with news they can trust, broadcasters invest in quality journalism. Several broadcast groups and networks have dedicated teams and partnerships working to fact-check viral stories and claims.

• CBS News is launching a new unit called "CBS News Confirmed" to investigate misinformation and deepfakes. "Technology is changing at an unprecedented pace," said Wendy McMahon, CEO of CBS' news, stations and media ventures operations. "And the challenges created by the rise of generative AI, fake videos, and misinformation are too great for us not to meet head-on."


• VERIFY, from TEGNA, "is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information." Working with TEGNA's 49 newsrooms across the country, the VERIFY team evaluates stories or claims, with a special focus on those submitted by the public. One recent story examined the use of generative AI in political ads.


• Hearst Television partners with FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, to produce segments combating misinformation for its stations across the country. Following the recent firestorm of misinformation around the Israel-Hamas war, Hearst Washington correspondent Jackie DeFusco shared a segment on detecting misinformation, including tools and best practices the FactCheck.org team uses to separate fact from fiction.


• News radio reporters use dedicated long-form segments and podcasts to go in-depth on important news stories. Programs like "Looped In: Chicago" from Audacy or the "Philadelphia Community Podcast" from iHeart Media provide diverse perspectives and thorough explorations of stories that impact their communities and the world.

These are just a few examples of how broadcasters work tirelessly to bring the most trusted local and national news to communities across the country every day.