NEWSROOM

While the risks of disinformation and misinformation spreading online remain, one in two people were concerned about determining whether news is real or fake. Throughout the year, the verification platform drew strength from product management, user experience and design disciplines to facilitate access to accurate information.

TURKEY - The revelation of artificial intelligence's capabilities in content production has also increased concerns about the spread of disinformation and misinformation on the internet. A report published by the Reuters Institute confirmed the public's growing concerns about misinformation online. According to the report, 56% of the survey participants were concerned about determining the difference between real and fake news online. This figure indicated an increase of 2 points compared to the previous year. Teyit.org, a verification platform that protects internet users from false information in times of crisis, drew strength from product management, user experience and design disciplines to facilitate access to accurate information throughout the year.

Teyit Product Manager Özer Özdoğan shared his evaluations on the matter and said, "We believe that a correct user experience and good design can slow down the spread of misinformation. In this context, throughout 2023, we made interface and user experience improvements on Teyit's web and mobile platforms. This has made it easier for the public to access accurate information by harnessing user experience and design.”

Designed special pages during times of crisis

2023 has been a year of crises that will accelerate the spread of misinformation in Turkey and the world. Özer Özdoğan noted that society needs confirmed information and detailed analysis of suspicious claims in crisis periods such as the February 6 Earthquakes, the 2023 Elections, and the Israel-Hamas War, when suspicious information is relatively abundant and spreads quickly, and said: "As confirmation, we will be able to respond directly to the public's demand in these periods, We have designed special pages in line with the content themes that examine suspicious claims and politician statements that can provide the answer they are looking for at a glance and directly affect the will of the voters to vote. We have made the analysis and confirmation files related to the themes in question more accessible with our design, allowing claims, findings, results, and sources to be seen at a glance on the analysis detail pages. "We positioned these pages at the most visible points and ensured that users who visit Teyit's website from any device can access the correct information fastest.”

Made interface and experience improvements throughout the year

Özer Özdoğan, who emphasised that they consider every interaction channel with users as a digital product and therefore never interrupted their development cycles, said, "One of the most prominent and smart tools on the Teyit website is the search box. The Teyit search box instantly lists analyses of the closest results by understanding typographical errors. This means that information needs related to relevant topics can be met without needing a perfect match. Additionally, Teyit offers a voice search feature. Furthermore, when users enter the analysis pages, they can see how long it will take them to read the analysis on average and the background of the verified claim. Interactive tools like chronologies used in the content design of pages like the Israel-Palestine Conflict Chronology strengthen the information hierarchy, while buttons like 'See Findings' make it easier for users to access results directly. The interface improvements we have carried out throughout the year enhance the user experience when accessing accurate information.”

“We work to prevent disinformation and promote digital critical literacy”

Teyit.org Product Manager Özer Özdoğan emphasised that they are actively involved in crisis periods such as elections, earthquakes, disasters, political events and pandemics, which can be considered turning points in Turkey's recent history, and are working to prevent misinformation spread on the internet, and concluded his evaluations with the following statements:

“As a media organisation aiming to prevent misinformation and promote digital critical literacy, we will continue to leverage technology, design, user experience, and product management in alignment with Teyit’s core objectives and principles for accurate information in the new year. During crisis periods, we will employ current interface sign trends with an agile approach to enhance the user experience through interactive storytelling.”