Pakistan’s Economic Crossroads: Understanding Facts and Shaping Future Prosperity
May 7, 2014
The world has been facing fake news and misleading information that has been reaching ever wider audiences in recent years, and Pakistan is no exception. The adverse impact of false or inaccurate information, shared to deliberately deceive or mislead people, has been particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
G lobally, the dissemination of fake news became prominent in the early months of the pandemic, with unscientific remedies and anti-vaccine narratives gaining a massive online following within communities, fueled by the spread of misinformation and rumors.
The availability of multiple social media platforms facilitated the spread of fake news. The implications of fake news, including the manipulation of public opinion, creates a trust deficit in democratic processes. Fake news, defined by misinformation and deliberate falsehoods, can also lead to widespread confusion among citizens. The term "fake news" is often used to describe three types of information disorder: ‘misinformation’, ‘disinformation’ and ‘mal- information’. Misinformation consists of inaccurate information that was not generated with malicious intent while disinformation is based on false information created to harm an individual, group, organization or state. Mal-information is based on correct information but is used out of context to harm someone.
„The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 highlights a growing concern, ranking fake news and misinformation as the most significant threat in the coming years.”
The report further describes that misinformation and disinformation could radically disrupt electoral processes in several countries over the next two years.
The lack of trust in media and the presence of fake news during and after the electoral process could seriously destabilize newly elected governments, which risks political unrest, violence and terrorism, and the corrosion of democratic processes.
Pakistan has witnessed tragic consequences of disinformation, including the lynching of Mashal Khan in Mardan, the burning alive of a tourist in Swat, the mob lynching of a Sri Lankan national in Sialkot and many other incidents as stark reminders of the devastating consequences of disinformation i.e. false information created to harm someone.
Recent riots in the UK were fueled by misinformation and disinformation spread on social media, particularly after the murders of three girls in Southport. False claims regarding the attacker, including fabricated links to Islam and immigration, incited anger and violence. A few groups organized protests, some of which turned violent, with social media platforms like Telegram and TikTok used to amplify the unrest. Online misinformation, combined with calls to violence, escalated tensions and led to riots in cities like Middlesbrough and Sunderland. These incidents highlight the real- world dangers of misinformation, where fabricated stories can incite violence and dismantle social cohesion.
Ultimately, the fight against fake news starts with each of us. Before sharing any information online, we need to verify its source, consider the principles of journalistic integrity, use fact- checking tools, and consult multiple sources before forming an opinion.
Moreover, countering this threat requires a collaborative and hybrid approach involving the government, educational institutions, media, tech companies, and the public. This includes equipping journalists with skills in fact-checking, source verification, and investigative journalism to expose misinformation at its roots. Providing them with tools like reverse image search and data analysis can enhance the credibility and depth of news. Individuals must also be responsible when sharing content, and encouraging users to verify the accuracy of posts before sharing can mitigate the spread of fake news.
Most importantly, introducing media literacy programs in educational institutions can teach students to critically assess information sources, enabling them to distinguish between reliable news and misinformation from an early age.
Moreover, media houses should implement rigorous editorial standards to ensure that news is thoroughly vetted before publication. Promoting investigative journalism can help uncover and debunk misinformation. Civil society organizations can launch awareness campaigns, conduct workshops, and create fact-checking platforms to inform the public about how to identify fake news and disinformation.
Governments can introduce policies that promote transparency, regulate disinformation without stifling freedom of speech, and support initiatives that combat fake news through public education. Meanwhile, Proactive disclosure of information under the Right to Information (RTI) laws can also play an important role. In Pakistan, Article 19-A of the Constitution guarantees access to information as a fundamental right, and both provincial and federal governments have enacted legislation to uphold this right. Social Media Platforms like Facebook, X, should invest in fact-checking partnerships, and clear policies to swiftly remove or flag misleading information.
