International public broadcasters highlight their role in the pandemic

International public broadcasters have highlighted their role in combating misinformation about the coronavirus

In a joint statement on Tuesday, seven public service media from the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan and Australia said, “The fight against the proliferation, particularly on social networks, of fake news about the disease and its treatments has mobilized all our editorial offices.” The broadcasters - France Medias Monde, Deutsche Welle, the BBC World Service, NHK World, CBC Radio-Canada, ABC Australia and the US Agency for Global Media, whose networks include Voice of America and Radio Free Asia - said they have seen strong audience increases during the pandemic

The seven outlets say they reach an audience of more than one billion people through their websites, TV and radio broadcasts every week.