“Counter Fake News Through Legislation”

Egyptian media personality suggests promoting fact-checking institutions and websites

Proliferation of fake news can only be countered with legislation and by promoting fact-checking institutions and websites, said Egyptian producer and media personality Nashwa Al Ruwaini, CEO, Pyramedia Group.

Addressing a session titled ‘Illusion Vs. Trust’ on the second day of the 17th Arab Media Forum in Dubai, she said that in spite of concerted efforts to check it, fake news websites and channels are thriving. Fake news can ruin economies, spread hatred and cause tension between nations.

“It’s like a new drug. The statistics are alarming. It has been found that fake news websites attract 159 million visitors. Almost 62 per cent of adults in the US get news from Facebook, and they can potentially be exposed to fake news. Recently, a US university analysed 126 articles and found that almost 75 per cent of them were fake. More than 1,000 articles were retweeted.”

Al Jazeera TV, she said, is a model for fake news and must be boycotted.

People are confused, they cannot distinguish between fake and real news. Provide people with fact-checking institutions or portals, so that whenever you have questions or doubts, you can go back to the portal and receive the right answers, she suggested.

“The reason you get fake news or you are served wrong information is because you do not have anyone to counter it or you do not have anyone to tell you otherwise, so you believe it. But if you have a portal to tell you what is right, you will not go wrong.”

Many nations realise the bad effects of this menace and want to tackle it. Enacting laws is one of the solutions. There are already some initiatives in the European Union, Singapore, Britain and France.

She said the young generation should be encouraged to think critically. “Stop believing in fake news, don’t take things for granted, stop spreading information without checking it, because each one of us is accountable. Let truth prevail. People should know that.”

Held under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, from 3-4 April 2018, the 17th edition of the Arab Media Forum (AMF) brought together more than 3,000 prominent regional and international media figures and thought leaders.

Apart from high-profile local speakers, the two-day event features 50 speakers representing 20 countries from across the Arab region and the world. Under the theme ‘Impactful Media Trends’, prominent media personalities, writers, influencers and academics are sharing their views on diverse issues at the Forum with the aim of forging a new vision for the media.