SHUSHA (Azerbaijan) 21 Juil 2024 — At the second Shusha Global Media Forum on Sunday, participants underscored that media outlets’ responsibility in combatting fake news was linked particularly to the processing and analysis of open-source information.

The forum, held in Shusha, eastern Azerbaijan (July 20-22), was organized by the Azerbaijan State News Agency “AZERTAC” and the country’s media development agency.
It provided an opportunity for several media experts and professionals, especially heads of news agencies, to discuss the dangers and risks faced by media outlets in terms of fake news.
They noted the media’s major responsibility in fact-checking “open source” information such as social media, warning that the latter can mislead media outlets by turning them into a propaganda tool and an instrument to ensure wide dissemination of fake news.

Many speakers at this forum, which included the participation of news agency directors such as APS Director General Samir Gaid, and information and communication officials from official bodies of about fifty countries, underscored the crucial need for the involvement of States and their public policies in preventing and combatting fake news.
 

They further highlighted the need for adopting a policy that would enable media outlets to access effective tools for enhanced analysis and careful handling of open-source information.
In this regard, participants also recommended enhanced training and international cooperation in exchanging expertise and experiences.
They warned about the risks related to the lack of vigilance and caution against various operating modes aiming at manipulating media outlets through widespread circulation of false and biased information.
This was discussed in light of soft power, fourth-generation warfare, media polarization and the manipulation of artificial intelligence.