Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have developed a machine learning model that identifies fake news sources with greater efficiency, a tool that may significantly aid fact-checkers, especially during high-stakes election seasons. Instead of verifying individual posts, this model analyzes broader patterns by tracking sources, which helps reduce the workload on fact-checkers while maintaining accuracy.
According to Dr. Nir Grinberg, this source-based approach outperformed traditional methods by 33% when analyzing historical data and 69% for emerging sources. Although it requires further testing in real-world scenarios, this model has the potential to amplify fact-checkers’ coverage without replacing their role entirely. The team hopes social media platforms will support such technologies by granting data access, helping tackle misinformation on a larger scale.
