NewsGuard’s ‘Real News’ Seal of Approval Drives Change in the Era of Fake News, According to Reuters

By Kenneth Li

NEW YORK – Over 500 news websites have updated their standards or disclosures following feedback from NewsGuard, a startup that has developed a credibility ratings system for online news. This week, NewsGuard announced that the latest major outlet to collaborate with them is the UK’s Daily Mail, which received an upgraded "green" rating for its site on Thursday, signifying that it "generally maintains basic standards of accuracy and accountability."

A representative for the Daily Mail did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

NewsGuard positions itself as an independent authority on credible news. Founded last year by co-CEOs Steven Brill, a seasoned journalist known for creating Brill’s Content and The American Lawyer, and Gordon Crovitz, a former publisher at The Wall Street Journal, the company aims to assist readers in identifying reputable sources amidst the challenge of distinguishing factual content from misinformation.

Alongside other initiatives like the Trust Project and the Journalism Trust Initiative, NewsGuard is tackling the pervasive issue of misinformation, which has become especially pressing in the wake of the spread of false news stories during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. In response to growing criticism, companies like Facebook have increased their use of human fact-checkers to filter out inaccuracies on their platforms.

NewsGuard’s credibility ratings, depicted by red or green shield-shaped labels, appear in users’ web browsers when they install the company’s software, which is compatible with major web browsers and is available at no cost.

The startup is backed by investors including a prominent French advertising company and the non-profit Knight Foundation. Notably, former Thomson Reuters CEO Thomas Glocer also holds a minority stake in the company. Importantly, news websites do not pay for NewsGuard’s services.

Employing a team of 35 journalists, NewsGuard has reviewed approximately 2,200 news sites based on nine journalistic criteria, such as responsible information presentation, error correction practices, and disclosure of ownership and editorial leadership.

NewsGuard actively seeks comments from news organizations regarding their adherence to these criteria. "We call everyone for comment, which algorithms don’t do," Brill stated, highlighting the distinction between NewsGuard’s human-driven verification process and the automated systems used by major tech companies.

Some outlets have clarified their ownership structures and editorial personnel after discussions with NewsGuard. For example, GateHouse Media, which operates over 140 local newspapers, revised how it identifies sponsored content to prevent confusion with objective reporting following outreach from the organization. "We made our standards and practices more prominent and consistent across our digital 460 news brands," noted Jeff Moriarty, GateHouse’s senior vice president of digital.

Additionally, Reuters, which received a green rating across all criteria, updated its website to include names and titles of editorial leaders after engaging with NewsGuard.

NewsGuard had initially given the Daily Mail a red label in August due to repeated publication of false information but later upgraded its rating to green after discussions began in January. The Daily Mail had contested the earlier designation, leading to a dialogue with NewsGuard.

Brill emphasized that the purpose of NewsGuard is not to penalize news organizations but to encourage improvements in journalistic practices. "The most common side effect of what we do is for news organizations to enhance their journalistic standards," he stated.