An open letter to social media hosts

It is becoming standard practice to remove statements that are considered "fake news". Perhaps it is time to consider an alternative.

Instead of removing controversial statements, I propose social media hosts (Facebook, Google, etc.) label them as incomplete or inaccurate or outright false (a great big watermark?) and provide a link or links to factual information that refutes the statement.

(I cannot see how this would work on Twitter.)

This would be beneficial in several ways. First, nobody's free speech is hindered. Second, it would publicly identify the statement as questionable and link to factual information resolving the controversy. Third, there would be no ascribing motives to the social media host for censorship because all they have done is provide a link. If the host makes a mistake, it is there for the world to see.

Another benefit would be the inability of others to link to the statement as a final thought. This will, ideally, prevent it from being used to further spread the statement because any reference back to it would also provide immediate access to a link or links to facts countering it.

Directing the reader to factual information would allow the social media host doing the review to show that they are not being biased. Facts are facts.

The individual or group disseminating the "fake news" is effectively shamed publicly every time someone sees the post - in much the same fashion sex offenders are by being registered.

Everyone wins except for the purveyors of "fake news" IMHO.