Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, today urged D-8 member countries to combat the growing threat of misinformation and fake news by formulating a unified media policy.
The appeal was made during a meeting with Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, the Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, held in the Azerbaijani capital.
The two leaders engaged in discussions covering mutual cooperation among the D-8 nations, with a particular focus on the media sector, alongside other significant global issues.
Minister Tarar emphasized that without gaining complete control over the spread of false narratives, the joint narrative of the D-8 countries could not be effectively strengthened.
He articulated the necessity of instituting an effective fact-checking system on social media platforms through a well-defined strategic approach.
The dialogue also explored opportunities for promoting deeper cultural ties, with the Minister noting that the people of the D-8 countries can be brought closer through the integration of culture, communication, and technology.
Concurring with the sentiment, Ambassador Imam stressed the importance of member states learning from each other”s media experiences and proposed the organization of joint training sessions and workshops.
He stated that to establish a strong and positive global narrative, collaboration on the D-8 platform must be further reinforced.
The Information Minister also praised the Secretary-General”s efforts, acknowledging his contributions to worldwide economic growth and regional peace.