• UGI USER
  • Dec 04, 2023
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DISINFORMATION THREAT TO DEMOCRACY: WORLD MEDIA SUMMIT

  • Disinformation, scaled up and weaponized on social platforms, poses a significant threat to democracy and media credibility, warns N. Ram at the World Media Summit (WMS).

Source: YourDictionary

What is Disinformation?

  • Disinformation refers to the deliberate spread of false or misleading information with the intent to deceive, manipulate opinions, or achieve specific goals.
  • It involves the dissemination of deceptive content to create confusion, influence perceptions, and undermine trust in reliable information sources.

AI and Disinformation Challenges:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and disinformation are identified as key areas presenting both challenges and opportunities for the media industry.
  • AI models, labelled as “prediction engines,” raise concerns as they learn from the past, fabricate facts, and can produce false images and articles.

 Media’s Role Against Disinformation:

  • Despite AI challenges, the media industry has the opportunity to demonstrate its indispensability and serve as a force for social good.
  • Disinformation is rampant, and countering this menace provides an opportunity for professional journalism to showcase its power and societal value.
  • The World Media Summit, initiated in 2009, focuses on disruptive technologies and the critical issue of disinformation in media.

Global Media Challenges and Cooperation:

  • Media organizations from 103 countries attend the WMS, discussing the impact of disruptive technologies and strategies to counter disinformation.
  • Melissa Fleming, UN Under Secretary-General for Global Communications, emphasizes the mounting challenges faced by global media amid news avoidance and declining trust in traditional outlets.
  • Four major global news agencies – Xinhua, Reuters, Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse – discuss the establishment of a cooperation mechanism to address common challenges.

Media Industry Transformation and TikTok Influence:

  • Xinhua News Agency, acknowledges the significant transformation in the global media industry due to technological innovation and the spread of fake news.
  • Reuters highlights the rise of TikTok, reaching nearly half of 18 to 24-year-olds worldwide, with 20% turning to TikTok for news consumption.
  • The media industry is urged to work together to tackle challenges and uphold the importance of accurate and reliable information in the face of disinformation.