With the increasing reliance on social media as a source of news, new challenges emerge related to the spread of false information that affects society negatively.
«Rosal Youssef», I was keen to survey the opinions of a number of legal and media experts. , about the dangers of misleading news and how to confront them, as Hossam Abdel Aziz, the legal advisor, explained the importance of the Anti-Information Technology Crimes Law No. 175 of 2018 in protecting Society is protected from the influence of fake news, as he said: “The law provides important protection against rumours, and gives the Public Prosecution the right to prosecute anyone who spreads false information that creates panic among citizens.”
Abdulaziz added: “This law It allows the authorities to quickly close websites or accounts that promote fake news, which helps prevent its spread.
In turn, Muhammad Anis stressed, The lawyer and legal advisor stressed the need to continuously develop laws to keep pace with rapid technological developments, saying: “Egyptian law needs a comprehensive definition of fake news, so that it covers all forms of misleading information.”
Anis pointed out, The importance of having legal mechanisms to protect individuals who report rumours, and for them to be fully aware of the legal steps to report fake news without fear of reprisal, pointing out that The current law needs continuous review to include all types of media misinformation.
For his part, Dr. Alaa Mortada, a professor at the Faculty of Media at the International Media Academy, believes that the media plays a decisive role in combating false news, explaining that the media must Be strongly present on social media to provide reliable information quickly and accurately.
Mortada suggested that the media launch awareness campaigns. It aims to enhance awareness of the dangers of fake news and how to verify sources, which contributes to building a conscious and educated society, noting that the media must continue to refute rumors by providing real information and facts.
In the same context, Dr. Abeer Ezzi stressed , Vice Dean of the College of Language and Media at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, stressed the importance of public education to reduce the impact of rumours, adding: “It is necessary for individuals to learn how to verify information for themselves and develop thinking.” “Azi” believes that the solution lies in providing workshops and training courses that enhance individuals’ ability to think critically, in addition to encouraging them to follow the “stop and think” method. ; Before publishing any unconfirmed content, it is suggested that media institutions organize dialogue sessions to discuss ways to deal with misleading news and the role of the public in verifying the authenticity of information.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Rahmawi, a professor at the Faculty of Media at the International Media Academy, pointed out that Fake news poses a threat to social security, as a simple rumor can cause chaos in society, continuing: “People’s reliance on social media as a main source of information contributes to amplifying rumors, especially in times of Crises».
Dr. Laila Abdel Majeed, former Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University, said that rumors and fake news have existed since time immemorial, and the method of communicating them has changed, but the most dangerous are the social networking sites that have led to their rapid spread, as they do not It perishes and is not created out of nothing, explaining that rumors are among the weapons used in wars against peoples, because they create confusion and weaken morale in times of crises.
He added. Dr. George Latif Sidhoum, teacher of digital media and multimedia at Galala University, said that confronting rumors is done according to its nature, and stressed the importance of the role of official institutions, which must be aware of the importance of rumors and the danger of their spread, and there is a type of rumor that is raised around state institutions, and in Sometimes it is not responded to and spreads to a wider area.
Dr. explained. Mahitab Gamal, a lecturer in the Department of Radio and Television, Faculty of Mass Communication, Cairo University, said that rumors in wars are more powerful than military force, because they invade minds and are often systematic from specific parties, and thus individuals may fight by proxy for the benefit of other parties without realizing it.
< p>Dr. Muhammad Khalil, a lecturer in the Department of Journalism, Faculty of Information, Cairo University, explained that suppressing rumors at the appropriate time is one of the most important ways of confrontation, and stressed Ways to confront rumors begin with establishing legal legislation.
He continued: It is necessary to establish accurate media observatories that lead the process of tracking all information on social media or Western and regional media. We must not make the citizen a prey to rumors, which then lead to all… What a wrong interpretation,” he continued: “Parliament has a clear legislative role that stipulates that every institution must have accurate media monitoring that tracks its efforts and responds to… Rumors and tries to prevent any negative effects on public opinion against its activities or non-disclosure of information.
