Verified Journalism and Source Transparency Act (Proposed)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The rapid rise of misinformation and fake news on social media has created a national crisis in truth, accountability, and public trust. Every day, millions of citizens unknowingly share unverified posts, anonymous claims, and clickbait headlines with no clear source, author, or editorial oversight. In the absence of a basic reference system, falsehood spreads faster than facts—undermining public opinion, elections, and democracy itself.

The Verified Journalism and Source Transparency Act proposes a simple yet powerful reform: all public news posts and articles published on social media must include three key elements—(1) the journalist’s name, (2) the reference or source link, and (3) a publicly visible Journalist Credibility Score (JCS) ranging from 1 to 100. The score will help users identify if the journalist has a track record of verified reporting, or a history of spreading disinformation.

The Journalist Credibility Score will be based on measurable factors such as affiliation with a reputable media organization, years of experience, number of articles written, investigative depth, and a transparency record comparing fake news versus legitimate articles over time. A score of 80 and above shall be considered “Highly Credible,” helping the public discern which content is trustworthy. News with anonymous authors or unclear sourcing shall be labeled “Unverified” and deprioritized in visibility.

This Act empowers citizens to make informed decisions by promoting truth as a civic standard. It does not ban freedom of expression but introduces a layer of transparency that discourages anonymous propaganda and incentivizes responsible journalism. In time, it will reshape online behavior—encouraging netizens to share news only from credible sources, and helping protect society from the damaging effects of manipulated narratives.