LONG OVERDUE: FACT-CHECKING

Welcome news from CBS News this week: The network will launch a fact-checking unit to examine misinformation and content generated via artificial intelligence.

Also this week, Facebook owner Meta is barring political campaigns and advertisers in other regulated industries from using its new generative AI advertising products.

It’s a start as the election season fast approaches.

At CBS News, the new unit will be called “CBS News Confirmed.”

“Technology is changing at an unprecedented pace. And the challenges created by the rise of generative AI, fake videos, and misinformation are too great for us not to meet head-on,” said CEO of CBS News Wendy McMahon in a memo to staff.

“CBS News Confirmed” is intended to produce segments on its findings while explaining to viewers how the information was determined to be falsified.

The network will expand training of current staff while hiring forensic journalists to staff the new unit.

The rapid, virtually unchecked advances in AI technology, and the deep well of dark money available to political operatives make the development of sophisticated fact-checking procedures imperative.

Now, if only we could see similar initiatives at the other networks, cables, and, most importantly, at the local level.

It can’t just be about the money grab anymore.

Not if you claim to have a viable newsroom.