Who needs TV? Here is the news – on Facebook

San Francisco – Facebook yesterday announced its first original news shows for the social network, joining other online platforms producing video to compete with television.

The shows will be produced for Facebook by a variety of partners, including CNN, Fox News, ABC News and Univision.

The programmes are producing the social network’s on-demand video service called Facebook Watch, which is part of an effort to compete with platforms such as Google-owned YouTube, and potentially develop a wider following.

Facebook said the launch of news shows was also aimed at offering its members “trusted” content, following concerns that the platform was used to spread misinformation.

“Earlier this year we made a commitment to show news that is trustworthy, informative, and local on Facebook,” said a statement from Facebook news partnerships chief Campbell Brown.

“As part of that commitment, we are creating a dedicated section within Watch for news shows, produced exclusively for Facebook by news publishers. With this effort, we are testing a destination for high quality and timely news content on the platform.”

The first programmes include ABC’s On Location, featuring contribution from the network’s journalists from around the globe; CNN’s Anderson Cooper

Full Circle, featuring the popular CNN host; and Fox News Update, hosted by chief news anchor Shepard Smith.

Facebook last week said it was getting rid of a “trending” topics feature as it tests ways for publishers to deliver reliable breaking news. The Trending feature introduced four years ago listed stories buzzing on Facebook at any given time.

“We’re exploring new ways to help people stay informed,” Alex Hardiman, Facebook’s head of news products, said. –