2024 is undeniably poised to be the most significant global election year in history, with approximately 60 countries worldwide scheduled to hold elections. The focus is particularly on major economies such as Russia, India, the USA, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, whose outcomes will shape the geopolitical landscape of the next decade. However, casting a shadow over these elections is a peril that democracies must vigilantly address: the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation. The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently sounded the alarm, warning that this poses a serious threat to the democratic process. Not only can it distort and sway the opinions of voters in already polarized societies, but it also has the potential to disrupt economies and incite civil unrest and confrontation.
Moreover, the advent of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) has compounded the issue, with deepfake videos, manipulated images, voice cloning, and deceptive websites posing significant obstacles to ensuring free and fair elections and security. While AI was intended to benefit the public good, it has been exploited in nefarious ways. A recent example highlighted by the Financial Times revealed the use of AI-generated videos to spread disinformation in the lead-up to the election in Bangladesh, casting doubt on the integrity of the electoral process.
Turning to Pakistan, since the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022, the country has grappled with a slew of issues, including legal battles concerning diplomatic matters, gifts, Khan’s marriage, and more. Despite Khan’s imprisonment, his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), continues to campaign for votes, utilizing innovative tactics such as virtual rallies and AI-generated speeches mimicking Khan’s voice. However, the lack of regulation surrounding AI poses a significant threat in a fragile democracy like Pakistan, according to Benazir Shah, an editor at Geo Fact Check.
With Pakistan boasting a significant online population, the proliferation of disinformation is exacerbated by a lack of digital literacy among the populace, as noted by Hyra Basit, Cyber Harassment Lead at Digital Rights Foundation. This lack of critical media consumption has led to instances of misinformation spreading rapidly, such as false accusations against participants in the Aurat March 2021, resulting in legal repercussions and threats.
Addressing the challenge of disinformation requires a collective effort involving the media, civil society, and individuals. Journalists like Umar Cheema stress the importance of fact-checking and responsible reporting, while also advocating for solutions to combat disinformation effectively. Furthermore, Benzair Shah emphasizes the role of civil society, particularly young people, in promoting responsible social media usage and fact-checking. Hyra Basit underscores the importance of educating individuals on recognizing and rejecting disinformation, advocating for tools like Google reverse image search to verify information.
Asad Baig, Executive Director for Media Matters for Democracy, highlights the need for a holistic approach to countering disinformation, noting that temporary measures taken during elections are insufficient in addressing the broader challenges. Ultimately, the responsibility lies not only with media organizations and fact-checkers but also with individuals to critically evaluate information and safeguard against the dissemination of disinformation.
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