The journal will utilize blockchain technology to combat misleading information in the press, according to a new portal for NYT’s News Provenance Project.
The so-called objective of the venture is to provide a forum that is commonly relevant to journals of various sizes.
Blockchain technology is supposed to help the venture record metadata about video and audio recording that news agencies are publishing.
The New Provenance Project is presently in its initial stage, with the intent of creating a proof-of-concept based on photojournalism that illustrates how such a blockchain-powered scheme could function to scale.
The site states:
“Our initial work involves exploring a blockchain-based system for recording and sharing metadata about media — images and videos in particular — published by news organizations. We are also conducting user experience research to identify the types of signals that can aid users in recognizing authentic media.”
NYT states, “Blockchain provides processes for exchanging data between organizations in aspects that we believe are crucial to creating and retaining the provenance of digital documents.”
The initiative will render the findings of its venture publicly accessible through the portal of the initiative. The New York Times previously this year published a job vacancy for a blockchain professional.
The position, named “Lead, Blockchain Exploration,” was to find “a forward-looking mentor who will assist in the planning and development for media editors of blockchain-based idea evidence.”