Over quarter of coronavirus video on YouTube are misleading or inaccurate
Last updated on: 18 May,2020 01:02 pm
Over quarter of coronavirus video on YouTube are misleading or inaccurate
(Web Desk) - More than a quarter of the most-viewed coronavirus videos on YouTube contain "misleading or inaccurate information."
According to a study, in total, the misleading videos had been viewed more than 62 million times. However YouTube has assured that it was committed to reducing the spread of harmful misinformation.
The researchers suggested "good quality, accurate information" had been uploaded to YouTube by government bodies and health experts.
But it said the videos were often difficult to understand and lacked the popular appeal of YouTube stars and vloggers.
Study scored videos on whether they presented exclusively factual information about viral spread, coronavirus symptoms, prevention and potential treatments.
Videos from government agencies scored significantly better than other sources, but were less widely viewed.
YouTube said in a statement: "We are always interested to see research and exploring ways to partner with researchers even more closely. However it s hard to draw broad conclusions from research that uses very small sample sizes and the study itself recognises the limitations of the sample.