What news is not ‘fake’?

That evening, he gave an explanation and apology at the closing ceremony held at the end of the four-day World Urdu Conference, denying that the news circulating about him is not true. In fact, Karachi is a city where reports of being ‘picked up’ and ‘dropped off’ are usually true. Obviously, Anwar Maqsood is a big name in this country and he has millions of followers, so every news about him and words from his pen or mouth has its own importance and the responsibility is also high.

 However, the judge of the ‘news’ whether it is real or fake, can be done better by the one who knows the news. In a country where the journalism of the last 76 years revolves around 80% only ‘statements’, people generally remain ignorant of the real news, perhaps this is the reason why the biggest news of this country was on 16th December 1971, BBC. It came to know that otherwise we were being given ‘all good’ news.

Some news are always the same, only the names and roles change, for example, the government will complete its term. Terrorists will be dealt with iron hands, inflation has been reduced due to the efforts of the government. The President said this and the Prime Minister said this. Now who said it is true, who said it is true or not. Even now, if there is a reaction to something, it is said that the media has presented the matter in a twisted manner or out of context. So who will decide what is fake and what is true?

 This matter is now intensifying, one of the main reasons being the government itself, which tries to hide the facts, especially with regard to incidents where there is a clash between law enforcers and protestors. And the other party who is affected exaggerates the originalThe test of the reporter, cameraman and photographer is to bring out the truth and that too without fear.

Even after several days passed, it was not known what actually happened on 26 November at ‘D Chowk’, so whoever created the impression he wanted to create. Earlier the news was ‘corrected’ through ‘information’ through a press advice, now it has come to ‘formation’ and new legislation is being made to stop ‘fake news’. Special courts will also be established and cases will also be established. Perhaps we do not understand how serious this matter is. The idea of ​​how to control the media in the name of ‘fake news’ is not new.

There is no doubt that in some cases all the media stakeholders will have to make some decision, which can be initiated by authorized professional editors and news editors or news seed in newspapers and news channels. Government, or government itself, is a party in news matters and therefore usually tries to avoid itself in any legislation. A ‘Media Grievance Commission’ can decide which news is true and which is fake. In this regard, an impartial commission consisting of persons who are impartial and have a good reputation in the society, whether they are related to the civil society or the judiciary, while the persons taken from the media are in the minority, so that the impression of bias does not emerge on the media.

‘Fake news’ can come from anywhere and can be spread by anyone, including a common man. Any political party or individual and also the government itself. Therefore, before taking it to any court, it is important to evaluate the news as ‘fake’ or ‘correct’ under the journalistic professional requirements, which is the work of the commission. There should be room for an apology, explanation, and apology, or to stand by your news.

Compared to print and electronic media, in today’s era, ‘digital media’ is being considered as a major source of fake news, the main reason for which is its followers of all kinds and also those who use this medium as an effective source of income. It has been made, but it cannot be broken by coercion or by unnecessary restrictions.

 This social media platform is being used by every person who has a mobile phone in his hand and knows how to use it. You will not be able to stop ‘disinformation’ by any federal agency or agencies simply by legislating. In a society where there is political, linguistic, communal, and cultural division. Where there is a lack of trust in governments, the state, and institutions, it is very important that negative? And society should reject ‘fake news’, for which it is also necessary to tell people the ‘facts’ and the government should not lie.

Some time ago, a video clip of the well-known anchor Talat Hussain was linked from somewhere and went viral, with reference to 26 November D Chowk, and an attempt was made to attribute it to him, while this clip was related to the events in Para Chinar. . Now the firewall can stop all this? By shutting down the internet or slowing down WhatsApp and binding ‘X’ to ‘VPN’, you are pushing people, especially the youth, into further unemployment, which will further deteriorate the society.

Ayub Khan took control of many newspapers that had independent opinions. During General Zia, or Zia era, there was a tradition of uprooting the news with his stick; during the Musharraf era, the control lip was freed through the screen, then those voices were also blocked. Now people are either picked up or put down; otherwise, ‘ice’ is put on them; earlier, they were laid on ice or snow.

The mission of faux news and Media control in Pakistan

The unfold of fake news has emerge as a critical problem inside the modern virtual technology, affecting now not just individuals however also governments, institutions, and entire societies. In today’s international, where social media platforms have turn out to be a primary supply of data, distinguishing between fact and falsehood has come to be increasingly difficult. while conventional print and digital media operate below a few form of editorial control, digital media remains in large part unregulated, permitting incorrect information to spread at an alarming rate.

The position of a Media criticism fee

To cope with this task, a Media complaint fee could serve as an impartial frame chargeable for comparing news content material and figuring out fake statistics. but, this sort of commission should be clearly independent, composed of reputable individuals of civil society, the judiciary, and only some representatives from the media to keep away from any bias or struggle of hobby.

The commission must make sure that:

information is assessed based totally on journalistic principles earlier than being classified as true or fake.
individuals or groups accused of spreading faux news have a honest risk to clarify or make an apology earlier than any felony motion is taken.
government and political events also are held accountable for any fake or deceptive data they propagate.
however, for the sort of system to work, accept as true with in institutions is necessary. In Pakistan, in which there may be deep-rooted political, ethnic, and sectarian department, and low public agree with in authorities and media, the mission is even more.

The rise of virtual Media and pretend news

Compared to print and digital media, digital media has end up the largest supply of fake information. Many humans, which includes political actors and influencers, use it as a tool for propaganda and economic gain. but, imposing strict regulations on virtual systems will not resolve the issue.

Attempts to govern faux information through internet shutdowns, slowing down social media apps, or limiting systems like X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp will only increase frustration many of the public, in particular younger people who rely upon those structures for employment and communication. instead of censorship, the government have to:

Educate people on identifying fake news and sell media literacy.
Be transparent and honest, so people depend upon legit resources rather than rumors.
make sure impartial journalism is included, rather than suppressed.
historic attempts to control the Media
during Pakistan’s records, governments have tried to control the media to suppress dissent and complaint. in the course of Ayub Khan’s rule, independent newspapers had been forcibly taken over. under trendy Zia-ul-Haq, reporters have been physically punished and censored. all through Musharraf’s technology, the rise of electronic media gave some freedom of expression, but later, dissenting voices had been blocked. nowadays, many newshounds and activists are either kidnapped, silenced, or censored in exclusive approaches.

If the government’s best intention in legislating towards fake information is to suppress opposition voices, specifically the ones of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), then such measures will fail to address the real trouble. faux information can’t be fought by way of changing one false narrative with another—truth should be upheld on all sides.

The way ahead

Pakistan needs a balanced approach to deal with fake news while defensive freedom of speech. rather than suppressing media, the government ought to:

set up an unbiased reality-checking commission that isn’t always inspired by way of political agendas.
promote virtual literacy the various public to help them distinguish between real and pretend information.
avoid the use of faux information laws as a tool for political oppression.
inspire responsible journalism and maintain all media homes accountable, which includes authorities-run ones.
The actual solution lies in creating a media environment where truth is valued, incorrect information is discouraged via consciousness as opposed to pressure, and all political parties—together with the authorities—are held answerable for spreading false narratives.