ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Minister for Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan, Attaullah Tarar, called for a united front against misinformation, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan on Monday.
According to the statement, Tarar cited a World Economic Forum report that ranks false information as a bigger short-term global threat than nuclear warfare or climate change.
The information minister was speaking at a dialogue organized by the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. The event focused on "Facts Survive AI: Fighting Misinformation Together."
"The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report of 2024 says that the biggest short-term risk to the world at large is misinformation," Tarar said, according to APP. "They do not say climate change. They do not say nuclear warfare."
The information minister announced the establishment of Pakistan's first Digital Communication Department under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The department counters misinformation through social media handles that verify information or label fake content, he said.
The minister met with representatives of social media platforms that have started labeling AI-created content, the news agency reported. "So, I think we need to have labels for AI-created content or AI-generated content," he said.
Tarar praised IBA's iVerify system for its success in combating false information at the national and international levels. He called for establishing more such systems to promote responsible journalism and combat fake news effectively.
"The community at large, the government, media houses, academia, the civil society, everyone has a role to play in countering misinformation," Tarar said.
The minister urged the Pakistan Broadcasters Association and All Pakistan Newspaper Society to join the effort. He assured them of full government support.
Tarar cited Pakistan's information response during a May conflict with India as an example of effective narrative management. "Pakistan won that war in a very, very effective manner," he said.
The ministry, he said, is collaborating with the United Nations Development Program to address misinformation. A training workshop scheduled this week will equip Ministry of Information officers and media professionals with skills to counter false information.
Tarar stated that there was a need to educate younger generations about the ethical use of AI. "We need to educate all segments of society on how to use AI responsibly," he said.
The minister highlighted vulnerable groups, including minorities, children, and women, as particularly at risk from misinformation campaigns.
The information minister stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has granted the ministry full authority to combat misinformation. He expressed hope that younger generations can work together to defeat misinformation.
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