Social media companies questioned on tackling misinformation
1 June 2020
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Sub-committee on Online Harms and Disinformation questions executives from Facebook, Google and Twitter about actions they have taken to tackle an ‘infodemic' of misinformation about Covid-19.
- Watch Parliament TV: Online Harms and Disinformation
- Inquiry: Online Harms and Disinformation
- Sub-committee on Online Harms and Disinformation
- Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Witnesses
Thursday 4 June, virtual meeting
At 14.30
- Thomas Knowles, advanced paramedic practitioner, EveryDoctor
- Dr Megan Emma Smith, consultant anaesthetist, EveryDoctor
At 15.30
- Monika Bickert, Head of Product Policy and Counterterrorism, Facebook
- Leslie Miller, Vice-President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, YouTube
- Derek Slater, Global Director of Information Policy, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google
- Nick Pickles, Director of Public Policy Strategy, Twitter
It is the second time that representatives of the social media companies have been called in by the DCMS Sub-committee in its ongoing inquiry into online harms and disinformation following criticism by Chair Julian Knight about a lack of clarity of evidence and further failures to provide adequate answers to follow-up correspondence.
In a week that has seen online reactions to US protests renew the debate about actions to tackle disinformation, MPs will address questions to three senior US-based representatives from Facebook, Google and Twitter.
Building on its work about the abundance of online misinformation about Covid-19, the Sub-committee will hear from a doctor at one of London's busiest hospitals and a paramedic working for NHS 111 about the impact of disinformation on their work on the frontline.
Further information
Image: CC0