Tarar urges D-8 states to devise joint strategy against misinformation in digital age

Baku (Web Desk): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Friday urged countries to unite against the rising tide of misinformation, noting how swiftly the world has moved from print to electronic and now deeply immersive digital media.

Speaking at the D-8 Media Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, he said Pakistan’s youth-driven population was pushing this change forward and stressed that member nations must work together to encourage responsible communication.

The information minister said the D-8 platform could help shape shared ethical guidelines and a code of conduct, particularly for guiding Gen Z toward constructive engagement on social media.

Tarar described the contrast between digital natives and those who had to adapt to the digital world later in life as one of the most defining traits of today’s information age.

He said young people, especially Gen Z, are now central in shaping public conversations and often become the first responders in times of crisis.

The information minister pointed to Pakistan’s expanding digital footprint, noting that the country has 117 million internet users and close to 80 million social media users, with 68 percent of its population under the age of 30.

Recalling the recent escalation with India, the minister said young Pakistanis joined forces with media organizations and online platforms to push out timely, accurate information.

Their role, he said, proved how coordinated efforts can challenge falsehoods and help maintain public clarity during sensitive moments.

Tarar cautioned that disinformation doesn’t merely mislead people—it also deepens political and social divides and undermines confidence in national institutions.

He said that the government had therefore placed transparency, digital responsibility, and better alignment among media bodies at the heart of its communication priorities.

Pakistan’s crisis communication model, he explained, includes early dissemination of verified information, strengthening domestic media outlets, training journalists in ethical practices, and building partnerships for fact-checking.

Tarar welcomed the creation of Azerbaijan’s Media Excellence Center and called for greater collaboration within the D-8, including a joint working group of media ministries and experts, along with shared training on crisis reporting, digital forensics, and anti-disinformation strategies.

Calling for a shared fact-checking system, he proposed a “Baku Declaration of Media Collaboration” to chart a unified path forward for the bloc.

The ministwer also suggested establishing official D-8 social media channels to highlight economic progress, counter Islamophobia and terrorism, and showcase success stories across member states.

As an example, he mentioned Pakistan’s recent reforms at the Federal Board of Revenue under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying the modernization drive had strengthened both revenue generation and public trust.

Quoting the World Economic Forum (WEF), Tarar noted that world leaders now regard misinformation as an even more severe threat than nuclear war or climate change. He emphasized that strategic communication involves far more than government statements—it reflects how societies engage, react, and come together when under pressure.

He also urged new partnerships to curb online extremism and hate speech and called for a joint public diplomacy effort to promote shared D-8 narratives of peace, progress, and cultural richness. He thanked the D-8 Secretary General for his dedicated tenure, also acknowledging the hosting of last year’s summit in Cairo.

The minister noted that Pakistan will take over the Secretary Generalship in January 2026 and said a detailed code of ethics was essential to address challenges posed by artificial intelligence.

He proposed clear labeling of AI-generated material so users can distinguish manipulated videos from authentic content.

"Pakistan stands ready to work with D-8 partners to build stronger communication networks, enhance crisis preparedness, and create an information environment where accuracy and truth overpower misinformation," Tarar said.

The information minister thanked the Government of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Heydar Aliyev, Hikmet Hajiyev, and the D-8 Secretariat for hosting the forum, expressing hope that the gathering would evolve into a lasting mechanism serving future generations and supporting a peaceful, prosperous future for the D-8 community.