Anti-Vaccination Content Online
2021-02-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue of vaccine misinformation is prominent, with social media platforms like Facebook removing and labelling false information about vaccines. The question stems from a personal concern expressed by the MP regarding his sister's health.
What steps are being taken to tackle anti-vaccination content online? Within minutes of posting news that my sister would be receiving her vaccine, someone was spouting anti-vax nonsense. Facebook removed 12 million pieces of content and put labels on 167 million more in six months last year. Anti-vax rhetoric puts lives at risk.
The Government takes vaccine misinformation seriously, leading work through the counter-disinformation unit. We are collaborating closely with social media platforms to identify and remove incorrect claims about vaccines that could endanger people's health. Freedom of expression is essential but sharing harmful disinformation should be addressed; we have secured commitments from platforms to ensure authoritative messages reach many people.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific practical steps or concrete actions the government can take with social media platforms.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The issue of vaccine misinformation is prominent, with social media platforms like Facebook removing and labelling false information about vaccines. The question stems from a personal concern expressed by the MP regarding his sister's health.
My sister is bravely battling cancer for the second time, so I was excited to tell everyone who has supported her on social media last night that she would be receiving her vaccine on Saturday. Within minutes, some very special individual was spouting anti-vax nonsense on that post. In six months last year, Facebook removed 12 million pieces of content and put labels on 167 million more that failed fact checking. Anti-vax rhetoric puts lives at risk. What practical steps can my hon. Friend take to work with social media platforms to make the point that freedom of speech is not absolute if it leads to societal harm?
The Government takes vaccine misinformation seriously, leading work through the counter-disinformation unit. We are collaborating closely with social media platforms to identify and remove incorrect claims about vaccines that could endanger people's health. Freedom of expression is essential but sharing harmful disinformation should be addressed; we have secured commitments from platforms to ensure authoritative messages reach many people.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific practical steps or concrete actions the government can take with social media platforms.
Response accuracy