Tarar urges verification mechanisms to counter fake news

Fake and unverified news poses one of the biggest challenges of the present era, the state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar made the remarks while addressing the 29th Sustainable Development Conference, organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Islamabad.

Tarar said everyone is affected by false reporting, so effective systems for checking facts are needed.

The Information Ministry has set up a Digital Communication Department to get checked information to the right audiences, Tarar said.

He called for AI labelling and suitable regulatory and legal frameworks for social media content, and said the positive use of artificial intelligence matters.

Tarar said electronic media already works under regulatory frameworks and editorial systems, and social media platforms need a similar framework.

He said the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has been set up to deal with cybercrime, and laws have been strengthened to curb digital offences.

On freedom of expression, Tarar said there are no restrictions on free speech, but no one may harm others in its name.

He said the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act applies only to electronic crimes.

Referring to Marka-e-Haq, Tarar said Pakistan upheld the truth despite what he described as fake news spread by India, and praised Pakistani media for responding to Indian misinformation.

He said Generation Z showed remarkable skills on social media during Marka-e-Haq.

Tarar also stressed the need for specialised courses in digital media and greater public awareness about the misuse of social media and artificial intelligence.

He said the government is working with the United Nations Development Programme to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, which he linked to a better future for present and coming generations.