Facebook Prioritizes Original News Reporting With Latest Algorithm Change

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Facebook is changing its News Feed algorithm again – this time to prioritize original news reporting and transparent authorship.

The algorithm change was announced in a blog post where Facebook explains it is based upon feedback received in its user research.

“Original reporting plays an important role in informing people around the world, from breaking a news story to creating an in-depth investigative report, uncovering new facts and data, sharing critical updates in times of crisis, or broadcasting eyewitness reports,” wrote Facebook VP of global news partnerships Campbell Brown and product manager Jon Levin in today’s post. “This important journalism takes time and expertise, and we want to ensure that it’s prioritized on Facebook.”

Facebook users have indicated an appetite for more credible and informative news stories, that news that feels authentic. That means that Facebook will prioritize stories from recognized sources of investigative reporting as well as real eyewitness reports. The company is currently working with academic experts and news publishers to establish the process by which original reporting will be identified.

Despite the change, Facebook expects that content from news sources that you or your friends follow and like will still make up most of your user’s feed.

On the contrary, news stories from sources that do not provide clear and transparent information about their editorial staff will be demoted. This strategy will be based on editorial transparency standards from organizations such as the Global Forum for Media Development, Reporters Without Borders’ Journalism Trust Initiative, SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, and the Trust Project.