On the use of blockchain technologies and digital identity to safeguard and verify the integrity of source material

Abstract

In addition to the general intentional scattering of fake news and its conscious or unconscious sharing on social media networks, the problem of checking the origin of source material from the perspective of the consumer is evident. This is especially the case if the original material was not created and registered with great care by established and trustworthy media companies. In the fast-paced world of real-time reporting, even professional media houses have to rely on cell phone videos or other user-created material. Furthermore, it is also possible that source material only appears to have been produced by an established media company, but instead journalists who work with this material fall victim to well-crafted forgery. The aim of this research study is to discuss Blockchain technologies and their adoption to store a verification hash of source material, the proof of authorship and sources used in a forgery-proof way. Furthermore, the authors investigate whether journalists and media producers see a need in this technology. The discussion centres around the consumers’ perception of such possible verification as an improvement and something they recognize as a “trust amplifier” if embedded in the newspaper, journal, blog, social media platform, or messenger tool of their choice. Finally, the sociological and ethical dimensions are briefly discussed - whether and how verified material can ultimately be fake news once again, and if the perception of what one believes, does not depend at the end on the recipient's basic attitude and perception. This work in progress paper describes the current status of the research work and outlines the envisaged further procedure.