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Instagram Is Now Labeling Accounts Of State-Controlled Media Outlets

Instagram Is Now Labeling Accounts Of State-Controlled Media Outlets

By Sumit Adhikari
October 06, 2020

Instagram has begun labeling the accounts of state-controlled media outlets. This will make it easier for users to understand where the information is coming from and help them make informed decisions.

First spotted by journalist Casey Michel, Redfish,In The Now, and Soapbox are some of the media outlets labeled as “Russia state-controlled media” on Instagram. The labels appear on profile pages of these accounts as well as on top of their posts in the feed.

If you tap on that label, a pop-up appears with the following text: “Instagram believes this publisher may be wholly or partially under the control of Russia,” or any other state the outlet may have relations with. A “learn more” button takes users to a support page where they can find out more about the policy.

Instagram is labeling the accounts that it believes may be “partially or wholly under the editorial control of their government”. The company has developed criteria based on its own research and assessment solely for this purpose.

“We hold these accounts to a higher standard of transparency because we believe they combine the influence of a media organization with the backing of a state,” Instagram’s policy reads.

As you can see from the screenshots shared by Michel below, some of those outlets have already started reacting to the label. They have updated their bios to dispute Instagram’s claims. The company says organizations that believe they are mislabeled can submit an official appeal.

In the Now is reportedly suing Facebook for a similar label. The publication has over five million followers on the platform. Facebook started labeling state-controlled media outlets in June this year. It had announced the policy back in October 2019. The company also plans to incorporate the labels to ads in the coming months.

Instagram starts leveling state-controlled media accounts

Instagram joins its parent company Facebook, as well as Twitter and YouTube in labeling accounts and channels of media outlets that may be editorially influenced by their government. The move comes just weeks before the 2020 US election as the company puts in efforts to fight misinformation.

Social media biggies often face criticism for their inability to curb the spread of misinformation on their platform. Facebook, in particular, has been subject to many such accusations over the years. It’s good to see the company putting in more and more effort in this regard.

Twitter also labels the accounts of government officials including “foreign ministers, institutional entities, ambassadors, official spokespeople, and key diplomatic leaders.”