• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Tech

Facebook Takes Out Ads in U.K. Newspapers to Give Tips on Spotting Fake News

By
Joseph Hincks
Joseph Hincks
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Joseph Hincks
Joseph Hincks
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 8, 2017, 5:42 AM ET
Facebook Logos
Justin Tallis—AFP/Getty ImagesFacebook on Monday became the latest US tech giant to announce new investment in Britain with hundreds of extra jobs but hinted its success depended on skilled migration after Britain leaves the European Union. The premier social network underlined London's status as a global technology hub at a British company bosses' summit where Prime Minister Theresa May sought to allay business concerns about Brexit. / AFP / Justin TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)Justin Tallis—AFP/Getty Images

Facebook (FB) has taken out ads in British newspapers to raise awareness of the spread of fake news in the run up to the country’s general elections on June 8.

The ads—featured in The Guardian, The Times, and the Daily Telegraph—include a checklist of 10 things Facebook users can do to help determine whether a story is trustworthy. These include examining the date of a report, investigating its sources, and considering whether it is intended as satire, the BBC reports.

“People want to see accurate information on Facebook and so do we,” said Simon Milner, Facebook’s U.K. director of policy. “To help people spot false news we are showing tips to everyone on Facebook on how to identify if something they see is false.”

Facebook came under fire for failing to stymie the spread of fake news during the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign—a charge Mark Zuckerberg initially refuted. Last month, the social media giant acknowledged that its platform was being used to manipulate public opinion and vowed to undertake what it called “information operations” to counter this.

For more on fake news on Facebook, watch Fortune’s video:

Earlier in April, Facebook took out similar ads in German newspapers, which also advised readers on how to discern spurious stories.

About the Author
By Joseph Hincks
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.