Iconic Labs PLC (LON:ICON) has launched Infotagion: Covid-19, an online and social media fact checking service to counter misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic.
The media firm said the service, launched in partnership with Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee chair Damian Collins MP, will be provided on a not for profit basis with the aim of combating fake news around the virus which it said can cause “misinformation, and panic and potentially cause governments and health services to divert resources away from where they are needed most”.
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The service is also backed by a cross-party group of current and former parliamentarians, members of the House of Lords and a range of campaigners, academics and celebrities from across the world, the company said in a statement.
Iconic said information submitted to the site will be checked by a team organised by Collins, including academic experts in disinformation as well as public health information from sources such as the UK parliament, governments and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The website then gives ‘traffic light answers’ as to whether the information is correct, and provides links to trusted information sources, such as WHO or government websites, and, in some cases, a short explanation.
Iconic added that it will use its “extensive contacts within both the media and social media industry and among the influencer community” to promote the site as a source of accurate information.
"At a time where people are being able to volunteer to help where they can, we are delighted to be able to use our skills and contacts where they will be most useful. For Infotagion to have received such widespread support and backing so quickly is really encouraging and hopefully it will be able to help the authorities and the public at this challenging time", said Iconic chief executive, John Quinlan.
In a separate announcement, the company also announced that its shares had been readmitted to trading on the standard segment of the main market of the LSE from 7.30am on Monday.
Iconic had originally requested the suspension of the shares because it came to the attention of the company that, in respect of a number of ordinary shares issued and allotted by the company during 2019, not all the necessary submissions had been submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
It added that following the approval and publication of the prospectus on March 25 these submissions have now been made.
Shares in Iconic Labs were 19% lower at 0.02p in early trading on Monday.