Daily Times

The invention of smartphones powered by internet-run social media platforms has given a voice to citizens, breaking traditional barriers of censorship. However, this newfound freedom often comes with the peril of misinformation. In Pakistan, where concerns over ‘digital terrorism’ dominate official narratives, the lines between fact and fiction and news and propaganda blur alarmingly. Social media has given voice to voiceless, but it has also muddled the distinction between credible information and unverified claims.

Journalism, like any other discipline, is now caught between two extremes. On one side are professional journalists who painstakingly analyze sources, understand contexts and air and print informed stories. On the other side are social media users, called citizen journalists, who broadcast unchecked claims, which are often rooted in hearsay or personal biases. Some of citizen journalism pieces, driven for clicks or views rather than accuracy, pose a serious challenge to mass communication.

Our heavily politicised society makes the spread of misinformation dangerous. Narratives crafted on social media often twist and manipulate facts. Some citizen journalists thrive on tools of sensationalism and propaganda. Such practices not only distort facts but also risk inciting public unrest. This is where the role of fact-based citizen journalism becomes critical.

Citizen journalism, if practiced responsibly, can complement professional journalism by filling gaps in reporting and highlighting underrepresented issues. However, it requires a firm commitment to truth and verification. Every citizen-journalist must ask: Is this information sourced and reliable? Am I amplifying facts or perpetuating hearsay?

The responsibility of combating digital misinformation does not lie solely with the members of public. Authorities must promote media literacy and equip citizens with tools to discern truth from falsehood. Simultaneously, regulating content to curb the spread of fake news without stifling freedom of expression is imperative.

In an era where digital platforms dominate, citizens must rise above the ‘likes mania’. The truth is not always entertaining or convenient, but it is essential. Our digital future depends on cultivating a culture where facts defeat fiction and where journalism preserves honest record, not click-bait tales. *