In a world full of fake news, information manipulation and deepfakes, news outlets should be sources of trustworthy information. Retaining readers’ trust by delivering clear and verified information is as important as ever.
This was a sentiment that was shared by many participants at the Central Asian Media Forum held in the Kazakh capital, Astana.
Media professionals, tech experts and government officials discussed the region’s growing prominence on the global landscape, emphasising the unique stories it can tell.
“This region is definitely a part of the global media landscape, and it is one of the fast-growing regions in this topic,” said Claus Strunz, CEO and Editorial Director of Euronews.
“And so, it’s very interesting for us to take part in it, to be a partner, to maybe give impulses and to work together with the people in this beautiful country.”
Serving as a meeting ground for information ministers of Central Asian countries, the forum addressed the problem of the spreading of false information.
“Given the latest trends in mass media, one of the common problems for all Central Asian countries is the spread of inaccurate and false information and provocative messages on social media and messengers,” said Aida Balayeva, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Information.
Other ministers echoed her sentiment, emphasising the need to combat the spread of misinformation. They noted that advancements in AI, especially deepfakes, can be easily abused, which is why it’s important to teach media literacy and fact-checking skills.
At the same time, forum participants discussed the benefits and opportunities AI brings.
The way people consume information has shifted. Algorithms now dictate much of what readers see. As a result, publications must adapt, trying to find the balance between crafting compelling stories and optimising them for search engines.
“From the perspective of the traditional journalistic school, of course, it’s a kind of a challenge for us. But it’s not new technology versus journalism. I think we need to see it as an opportunity to ease your job,” said Rufat Khamzayev, the Director of the AnewZ TV channel in Azerbaijan.
Experts stated that journalists can use AI to speed up and improve the work process, but it shouldn’t do the work for them.
“It can support journalism, if we use it properly, correctly, and with all the responsibility. Or it can destroy journalism, if we rely on it, and it’s not able to be part of a neutral approach. We, human beings, are in the driver’s seat. We are not slaves of the technology. We decide what’s going on. We shape the landscape of the future,” Strunz said.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, the forum served as a timely reminder that while technology offers powerful tools, it is ultimately human responsibility, integrity, and collaboration that will shape the future of trustworthy journalism.
