Calling on the big tech to fix the problem of fake news, Faisal Abbas, editor of Arab News, had said that it was almost impossible that individuals or ‘human journalists’ alone can fix the problem.
“What technology has broken, technology has to fix it. We need algorithms, AI to track fake news, and take it down, especially when we are talking about things like fake videos,’ he had said on the sidelines of the TOP CEO Conference and Award in Dubai last month.
He believes that fake news has always existed since time immemorial, and that social media only quickened its spread around the globe.
“It existed from the beginning of humanity. What is different now is the advancement of technology which enabled the spread of fake news to happen at a much quicker pace and provide the tools for everybody,” said Abbas.
He feels that while technology can deduce manipulation and flag it, media around the world ought to combat fake news too.
He stressed the need for having laws and regulations in the developing world. “In our part of the world, unfortunately, we are still working on the legal frameworks and the government frameworks which enable us to get to that level.”
Once the laws are in place, and journalists feel comfortable across the region reporting the truth, Abbas believes then the gaze can be turned to ways of bringing down those who deliberately try to manipulate readers.
