Facebook Inc. announced today that it’s making some changes to its algorithm so that original reporting as well as stories with transparent authorship will be prioritized in the News Feed.

During the #StopHateforProfit campaign, more than 200 brands have paused ads on Facebook and asked that the company make changes to its content policy. Some of those companies include Verizon Communications Inc., Coca-Cola Company, Unilever Plc and Ford Motor Co.

Since the coronavirus pandemic and related articles hit the web, as well as news about protests following the death of George Floyd, Facebook has come under some scrutiny. These stories might just be the straw that broke the camel’s back, and in spite of Facebook’s efforts to crackdown on fake news or news that foments hatred, critics have said Facebook needs to do more.

In a blog post today, Facebook Vice President of Global News Campbell Brown and Product Manager Jon Levin said that the company will push original reporting to the top of the News Feed, stories the company says can be trusted and stories that include in-depth investigative reporting. This will start with stories published in English, but will later include those written in other languages.

“Most of the news stories people see in News Feed are from sources they or their friends follow, and that won’t change,” said the company. “When multiple stories are shared by publishers and are available in a person’s News Feed, we will boost the more original one which will help it get more distribution.”

News that does not have transparent information about the publisher’s editorial staff will be demoted in the News Feed. Facebook said that when authorship of content is not clear, that content often comes from ad farms or is clickbait.

The company said it has consulted with various organizations such as Reporters Without Borders’ Journalism Trust Initiative to work on this editorial transparency. Facebook added that it’s aware that at times that in the interests of safety a journalist’s name is not added to the story, something that will be worked into the new policy.

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