At a press conference announcing a program to ensure the responsible distribution of online information in partnership with social media provider LINE, Vice Premier Chen Chi-mai on Thursday said that the initiative will provide the means for the government and the private sector to work together to find the truth behind the news and move swiftly to counter the spread of inaccurate narratives.
The rampant dissemination of "fake news" and false information from abroad is common in recent times, said the vice premier, and represents an attack on the democratic development of countries throughout the world. As the leading social media enterprise in Taiwan, LINE is uniquely positioned to exercise its corporate social responsibility in cooperation with the Executive Yuan in order to ensure the accountability of online information. Vice Premier Chen expressed confidence that the public would welcome this service.
The Executive Yuan indicated that the cooperative program with LINE will include the establishment of an official website and LINE account to publicize the truth behind various rumors, which is expected to go live in the second quarter of this year. The existing news platform LINE TODAY will enhance a section devoted to correcting hearsay, and there will be events organized to foster media literacy, among other efforts.
Under the program, LINE will begin by working with domestic fact-checking organizations as well as linking to the online real-time media rejoinder section of the Executive Yuan's website. This will allow responsible government agencies to respond instantly to important news on such topics as national security, the lives of citizens, and disaster preparations.