
User Generated Content, or UGC, is changing the way news is created. It offers quick access to information from places traditional journalists often cannot reach. However, the report “The Importance of UGC Verification in Building Trust in News” by Reuters Institute makes it clear: without rigorous UGC verification, media risk losing audience trust.
We fear false information
Audiences are less likely to visit newspaper websites directly or use news apps. Reuters Institute data shows that in 2024 only 20% of users still choose traditional news access channels as a main and first source. Most seek information on TikTok, WhatsApp, or YouTube.
In the same study, 59% of respondents admitted they worry about the truthfulness of online content. Fear of disinformation is growing, and audiences are witnessing more false news.
Topic | Percentage |
---|---|
Politics | 36% |
COVID-19 | 30% |
Cost of living crisis | 28% |
Israeli-Palestinian conflict | 27% |
War in Ukraine | 24% |
Climate and environment | 23% |
Migration | 21% |
It is important to note that the topics where false content appears most often are socially and politically emotional. Politics, the pandemic, wars, and the economic crisis - in these areas disinformation can lead to real social tensions.
Popularity over credibility
UNESCO research shows that 41.6% of internet users assess the truthfulness of content based on its popularity - the number of likes and views. This means that a large part of users trust what is "trending" rather than what is verified. In practice, this promotes the spread of unverified materials, which reach public awareness faster than verified news.
Reuters points out that media must work even faster and more accurately in this reality. Otherwise, they risk becoming a channel for disinformation.
The report recalls a loud example from 2020, when during the conflict on the India-Pakistan border, a video allegedly showing a military attack went viral. In reality, it was footage from the video game "Arma 2".
False information that quickly gained popularity fueled tensions between countries and showed how easily UGC can affect public opinion if media do not implement proper verification procedures.
Model verification: earthquake in Japan
Reuters cites an example of successful verification during the earthquake in Ishikawa, Japan, at the beginning of 2024. A video showing a landslide quickly appeared on social platforms. The Reuters Visual Verification Team immediately took action:
- checked the file`s metadata (date, location, device),
- contacted the author and obtained the original,
- compared the landscape with Google Street View images,
- confirmed the authenticity of the place with current satellite photos.
This multilayered approach allowed Reuters to quickly and confidently verify the footage. Direct contact with the author and thorough checking of spatial data prevented the spread of a false report.
The scale of the problem keeps growing
Reuters does not hide that the scale of challenges related to UGC is growing faster than the technological capabilities of newsrooms. UNESCO reported that 62% of digital creators admit to sharing content without checking its authenticity.
Additionally, the development of artificial intelligence means more realistic deepfakes are emerging. According to a Reuters Institute study, respondents fear that within five years artificially generated images and videos will be indistinguishable from real ones.
How newsrooms should act - specific recommendations and an example
Reuters proposes a set of specific actions that newsrooms should implement when working with UGC:
- Verify metadata: Every recording should be analyzed for date, place, and device type. Example: after the earthquake in Japan, metadata confirmed the video matched the time of the event.
- Check the event location: Use Google Street View, satellite images, and maps to compare the landscape with the recording. In Japan, the terrain matched the Google Maps topography.
- Contact the author of the recording: Obtain original files. Without talking to the author, there can be no certainty about the source`s authenticity.
- Combine technological analysis with journalistic work: Technology is a tool, but it is the journalist who draws the final conclusion about the credibility of the content.
- Create global verification teams: Reuters ensures 24/7 content checking thanks to teams in Beijing, Bangalore, Gdansk, London, Mexico City, and Singapore. This way, local events quickly reach verification.
Example of action: when an amateur video appeared after the earthquake in Japan, Reuters confirmed its authenticity within a few hours by combining a conversation with the author, metadata analysis, and comparisons with photographic documentation of the area. Such procedures should become standard wherever newsrooms work with user-generated materials.
* * *
The report “The Importance of UGC Verification in Building Trust in News” is based on data from the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024, UNESCO research, and case analysis of UGC verification. It uses specific examples and the experiences of the Reuters Visual Verification team. The full report is available for free at https://go.reuters.com/LP=84
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
Influencers and social video rule information. Digital News Report 2025
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Seconds of vertical clips set the future of news. TikTok, YouTube and an army of influencers pull viewers away from TV sets and newspaper pages. Whoever masters this new pulse seizes not only attention but also control of the story.
Cyberviolence and hate disguised as a joke. The RAYUELA report on youth
Krzysztof Fiedorek
The study conducted in five countries reveals a harsh truth. Online violence is not evenly distributed. It is a digital map of prejudice that hurts the most those who stand out the most. "It’s just a joke." That’s how violence often begins. Young people go through it in silence.
Trust in social media. Youtube beats TikTok and X
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Do we really trust social media? A new study reveals major differences in how top platforms are rated. Trust goes where there's authenticity, not just algorithms. The role of people is growing while brand influence is fading.
See articles on a similar topic:
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Skills. The Future of the Job Market is Here
KFi
The world faces the challenge of digital transformation, and technological skills have become a gateway to career success. How do Europeans evaluate their abilities, and which industries are leading the way? A recent report by Pracuj.pl reveals which skills open doors to better careers and why AI is the future of work.
Online News Portal Readers in Poland. Loyalty Analysis
Bartłomiej Dwornik
Among news portals, Onet has the highest number of users. However, in terms of reader loyalty, it falls behind Wirtualna Polska. When looking specifically at news readers, Gazeta takes the lead, though it ranks poorly in Google search positioning.
YouTube vs. Television. The 50+ Generation Shifts to Computers
Krzysztof Fiedorek
For years, so-called "silvers" were primarily associated with traditional media like television. However, research by IQS for SilverTV and Lifetube shows that this view is outdated. The report’s findings clearly demonstrate that YouTube is becoming the new “television.”
Disinformation 2024. Major Threats According to the Global Risk Report
KrzysztoF
In 2024, the world will face several global threats, including disinformation, climate change, and armed conflicts. These three challenges will have a significant impact on the economy, society, and the environment. These findings come from the "Global Risks Report" by the World Economic Forum.