Kinzinger presses tech CEOs for update on efforts to curb flow of fake news

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) pushed for answers from the leaders of tech companies about their strategy to halt the increased flow of “fake news” and disinformation across social media platforms.

Following recent announcements by Facebook and Google that they would investigate and monitor the distribution of fake news across their platforms, Kinzinger said the threats posed by disinformation and fake news on democracy cannot be underestimated.

“When a foreign government tries to influence political outcomes, it is not only an attack on our system but an attack on our government, our Constitution and the principles we value,” Kinzinger said. “It is imperative to counter the ‘fake news’ and propaganda from foreign actors who seek to delegitimize our freedoms.”

Kinzinger and U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) sent letters to the CEOs of Twitter, Yahoo, Tumblr and Reddit requesting information about what is being done to curb the spread of disinformation on those platforms.

“Our hope with this letter is to encourage these social media platforms to combat ‘fake news’ and counter the damaging effects of this disinformation activity — in defending the integrity of our democracy and the safety and freedoms of our citizens, and our allies,” Kinzinger said.

The letter states that “it is no secret that Vladimir Putin continues to utilize disinformation campaigns to gain influence in several European countries,” which have dealt with Russian propaganda and disinformation for almost a decade.

“Congress remains concerned with the rise of disinformation and propaganda throughout the world,” the letter continues. “This is why several of us were proud to introduce the Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act of 2016, which would help American allies counter foreign government propaganda from places like Russia, China and other nations.”

The bill would establish an interagency entity within the U.S. State Department to coordinate a broad government approach to countering foreign disinformation.

“We believe that your companies have an obligation to work with affected parties and countries to counter the belligerent use of misleading new stories by the Russians and Vladimir Putin in order to prevent any foreign influence in the democratic process,” the letter states.

Specifically, Kinzinger and Engel requested information about how each platform would combat the promotion of fake news advertising, and information about any tactics to monitor and remove misleading content from the sites.