Mitigating Media Liability: 6 Best Practices for Content Review
To help companies ensure the accuracy of their media content and avoid potential liability issues, we’ve gathered six best practices from industry leaders, including a Director of Content and a CEO. From adhering to Master Service Agreements to assigning a PR firm for content review, these insights offer a comprehensive guide to content verification.
- Adhere to Master Service Agreements
- Establish a Dedicated Review Team
- Prioritize Accuracy Over Speed
- Implement a Stringent Content-Review Process
- Leverage the Blockchain for Content Verification
- Assign a PR Firm for Content Review
Adhere to Master Service Agreements
As a data-driven design agency working with renowned brands, delivering superior outcomes enhances our reputation.
While we seize opportunities to engage with the media, we tread cautiously. Our Master Service Agreements (MSAs) outline our communication boundaries concerning these brands. Ensuring adherence to these MSAs is paramount, as breaches could introduce liability risks.
Jason Vaught
Director of Content, SmashBrand
Establish a Dedicated Review Team
One best-practice companies can follow to review and ensure the accuracy of media content to avoid potential liability issues is to have a dedicated team of editors and fact-checkers. This team should review all media content before it is published or disseminated. They should check for factual accuracy, as well as for any potential legal or ethical issues.
Brenton Thomas
CEO, Twibi
Prioritize Accuracy Over Speed
Always remember that accuracy is more important than speed. Take the time to proofread, fact-check, and have a second set of eyes on your content before publishing. Most mistakes are caused by time constraints, rather than the skill of the writer or researcher. If you’re using statistics in your content, consider the source of the research, who published this research, and why?
Emily Neal, SEO and Content Specialist, DSMN8
Implement a Stringent Content-Review Process
I advise companies to implement a stringent content-review process as a best practice to ensure the accuracy of media content and mitigate potential liability issues. This process should involve a multi-step approach that begins with thorough fact-checking and verification of all information before publishing or sharing any content with the public.
Companies should establish a dedicated team responsible for reviewing media materials, comprising individuals well-versed in the subject matter and knowledgeable about legal and ethical standards.
Additionally, companies should adopt a policy of transparency and disclosure when it comes to the sources and origins of information used in their content. Properly citing and referencing credible sources can help demonstrate the company’s commitment to accuracy and integrity, reducing the risk of facing legal repercussions due to false or misleading information.
Mike Schmidt
Civil Trial Law Specialist, Personal Injury Trial Law Specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy., Schmidt & Clark
Leverage the Blockchain for Content Verification
Companies can adopt blockchain technology to review and ensure accurate media content, mitigating potential liability issues. Blockchain, as a decentralized and immutable ledger, provides transparency and verifiability. Companies can timestamp and store media content on the blockchain, creating an auditable trail of revisions and ensuring authenticity. This technology facilitates trust among stakeholders and enables independent third-party verification.
For example, Factom, a blockchain solution, allows media companies to timestamp and secure their content, providing an immutable record for verification. By leveraging blockchain, companies can enhance media content accuracy and establish a robust defense against liability claims.
Ben Lau
Founder, Featured SEO Company
Assign a PR Firm for Content Review
A public relations firm or in-house department should be responsible for reviewing the accuracy of media content. This will ensure that the company is not liable for any false or misleading statements made by the media. It is important to remember that media outlets are not bound by the same standards of accuracy as other companies.
Therefore, it is essential to review all media content before it is released to the public. This review should include a thorough fact-check, as well as a legal review, to ensure that the company does not make any inadvertent or intentional misrepresentations. By following these steps, companies can avoid potential liability issues related to media content.
Matthew Ramirez
Co-Founder, USMLE Test Prep
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “What is one best practice companies can follow to review and ensure the accuracy of media content to avoid potential liability issues?”
Leave a Reply