Twitter announces new pilot project 'Birdwatch' to curb misinformation

In a bid to combat misinformation, microblogging website Twitter on January 25 anunced its pilot program ‘Birdwatch’ which will allow users to flag misleing or inaccurate tweets. According to a blog post, pilot project is initially being offered in United States and participants who apply to program can write posts identifying and rebutting misinformation. ir tes will initially t be visible to social media platform for users outside pilot group but will be visible on Birdwatch site. 

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‘A model worth trying’ 

Twitter said that it expects to have between 1,000 and 10,000 Birdwatchers who are being mitted on rolling bases and who will t be paid. In blogpost, vice president of product, Keith Coleman, said that tes will ultimately be visible to global Twitter audience. Following launch, firm also said that Birdwatch can be found on a separate section of Twitter - twitter.com/i/birdwatch. 

Coleman said, “We kw re are a number of challenges toward building a community-driven system like this – from making it resistant to manipulation attempts to ensure it isn’t dominated by a simple majority or biased based on its distribution of contributors. We believe this is a model worth trying”. 

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Twitter’s recent project comes after social media companies came under pressure to combat misinformation on ir platforms. In past, Twitter h started ding labels and warning about misinformation on ir site, including about coronavirus pandemic and US election. microblogging website has even permanently suspended former US President Donald Trump after his use of Twitter was seen to praise or enable storming of Capitol on January 6. 

Meanwhile, according to Guardian, some people have criticised Twitter for delegating important task of moderating questionable content to unpaid users. However, ors also said that this move could be a step in right direction. Evan Greer, who is director of online activist group Fight for Future, said that effectiveness of project will depend largely on how, exactly, it is carried out. He also ded that Twitter and or companies should consult with experts and members of impacted communities as y craft ir policies and experiment with possible solutions to complex problems. 

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