Social significance of countering misinformation

Ibrahim Khalil Ahasan
Contd from previous issue
Education teaches people to understand the difference between truth and falsehood. In a well-educated society, propaganda cannot easily have an impact. If media literacy, that is, awareness about the media, is included as part of education, students will learn to understand the importance of verifying information from an early age.
Although it is easy to get information through the Internet these days, the habit of verifying information has not yet been developed. Many people still assume that any information found on the Internet is true. In this regard, in addition to making social media and information technology users aware, technology companies must also take responsibility.
There is a need for more advanced methods to prevent propaganda from a technical perspective. The media should also play a role in preventing propaganda. The information published in the media creates trust among people. The importance of reliable media in preventing propaganda is immense. If any wrong or false information is published in the media, it spreads quickly and creates confusion. Therefore, the media should properly verify the information and publish it.
Legal systems can also play an important role in preventing propaganda. In many countries, special laws have been enacted to prevent the spread of false information or propaganda. If strict punishment is provided for those who spread propaganda, no one will want to engage in propaganda easily. At the same time, in addition to preventing propaganda through legal means, emphasis should also be placed on social awareness. Personal responsibility is also an important factor in preventing propaganda.
Every person must verify information on their own responsibility. If any information is shared with others without verifying it, it quickly becomes large. Therefore, it is very important to verify it before anyone shares any information on social media or at the personal level. If not verified consciously, misinformation can be spread in society and confusion can be created. Due to the widespread use of digital technology in the current world, it is necessary to increase the use of technology to prevent propaganda. Using artificial intelligence or AI technology, false or misleading information can be automatically identified and removed on social media. This may make it possible to slow down the pace of propaganda.
It is necessary to take coordinated initiatives at both the government and private levels to prevent misinformation. The general public can be made aware by running campaigns on social media and the media. In addition, the government and local administration can take up various awareness programs.
The most important thing to prevent misinformation is to create awareness among the general public. Everyone should develop the habit of verifying information and resisting false information. On the one hand, this is good for the society, and it also plays a very effective role in maintaining peace and stability in the society.
The writer is Dhaka, Bangladesh-based independent columnist and freelance journalist