From Wikitribune to StopFake: the battle against fake news

Jimmy Wales has launched a new site and Google is changing its algorithm - but they're not the only ones offering innovative solutions to combat fake news online

It was Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway's assertion that there were "alternative facts" that did it for Jimmy Wales. The Wikipedia founder has set up a site that will attempt to tackle the growing proliferation of fake news. Like the established online encyclopedia, Wikitribune will rely on a volunteer fact-checking community - peer-reviewed news if you like - but they will be collaborating with professional journalists, paid for by crowdfunding. The site, which launches today, is described as "news by the people for the people". At the same time, Google has announced it is to combat fake news by identifying misleading or offensive content (thanks to reports from users) and changing its algorithm to stop fake news being so prominent in search results. It will promote more authoritative and authentic content - much like these existing fake-news fighters:

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