GDI Study: Fake News Sites Generate $ 235 Million

Business | September 24, 2019, Tuesday // 11:07
Bulgaria: GDI Study: Fake News Sites Generate $ 235 Million novinite.bg

Ad revenue has effectively sustained websites flagged as disinformation sources with millions of dollars, according to a study. Despite talk of regulation, experts told Deutsche Welle the issue needs a "whole-of-industry solution”, DW reported. 

Websites designed to mislead the public and spread misinformation are receiving millions of dollars of ads from some of the largest companies in the world - although the latter may not be aware of the problem.

About 20,000 websites that pose a risk of misinformation generate approximately $ 235 million a year, according to a study published by the London-based Global Disinformation Index (GDI).

"Disinformation is driven by a variety of different actors with different incentives," GDI program director Craig Fagan told DW. "One of the incentives we see is the financial one."

In fact, advertising revenue has long contributed to the viability of controversial sites, with former Trump aide and far-right ideologist Steve Bannon describing it as a major revenue stream for right-wing media in a video posted earlier this year.

Following a further investigation, Deutsche Welle found that advertisements for large German companies were featured on websites such as Twitchy and Zero Hedge, which were flagged as sources of misinformation.

The companies include the Deutsche Bahn rail operator, the Opel car maker, Deutsche Telecom, Postbank and more. While these companies are unlikely to be aware that their advertising money is effectively financing misinformation, the fact highlights the problem with today's digital advertising ecosystem.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!

Business » Be a reporter: Write and send your article
Tags: fake news, Global Disinformation Index (GDI), study, Deutsche Welle

Advertisement
Advertisement
Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily online newspaper "Sofia Morning News." Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) and Sofia Morning News publish the latest economic, political and cultural news that take place in Bulgaria. Foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and World News in Brief are also part of the web site and the online newspaper. News Bulgaria