Social networks and portals, which are increasingly used as sources of information, have contributed the most to the expansion of fake news and disinformation, Elvira Ceković from the Agency for Electronic Media (AEM) assessed.
Ceković said that in Montenegro, the traditional media, radio and television, pay much more attention to issues of fake news and misinformation than new media such as portals or social networks.
"Our research shows that the most used media is still television, but more and more people are turning to portals and social networks when we talk about information," said Ceković to the MINA agency.
As she stated, the internet has brought social networks to everyone in a simple and accessible way, where content is shared without any responsibility.
Ceković emphasized that social networks do not control whether there is fake content or try to deal with it, but not with enough capacity and interest.
"On the other hand, we as users very often share such content and we saw, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, that we used the Internet more and more and people trusted some sources that are unreliable," Ceković said.
As she said, the bottom line is that everyone must take care of which media they trust.
"Let them be credible media, because now traditional media are also moving to social networks, so we can read information from them there as well," Ceković said.
She explained that credible media are those that have an imprint, that know who the owner is, who is the responsible editor, and to whom you can complain about some content.
"The very fact that he tells you that - he gives his identity card - gives him some degree of credibility," said Ceković.
She pointed out that the bottom line is that media literacy must also be worked on.
"So that people know how to find out which information should be trusted and which not, which information should not be shared and should not be read at all", said Ceković.
She said that AEM formally and legally does not have the authority to deal with the issue of fake news and misinformation, adding that a new law on audiovisual media duties is being worked on, which will state that AEM is responsible for media literacy.
Ceković clarified that this law is harmonized with the European directive on audiovisual media services, which as a standard imposed on regulators to deal with media literacy.
"So when we comply with that directive, and I expect it to be soon, then we will have a formal legal basis to deal with this issue as well, through the issue of media literacy," Ceković said.
AEM, as she said, regardless of the fact that it formally and legally does not have that authority, began to deal with these issues in 2017, because they recognized the danger to Montenegrin society of such information and the uncritical attitude of citizens towards the media.
Ceković said that then they started a campaign that was primarily aimed at children, but they also worked with journalists and the elderly population.
"Especially next year, we will address the elderly population to draw attention to this problem and help them in this, because media literacy is something that can give results after a certain time, but we have to work on it", said Ceković.
She assessed that it is very important that, in cooperation with the Institute for Education and the Institute for Media, they managed to introduce the media literacy project in primary schools this year and make it an optional subject for the 7th, 8th and 9th grades.
According to Ceković, it is a good way to talk about media literacy, but it is not enough and no category of society should be neglected.
She said that AEM also deals with the issue of media literacy through the Media Pluralism Fund, because funds are allocated to radio and television stations for shows that are of public interest, which, among other things, deal with issues of media literacy.
"So, we are trying to strengthen the media, so that they also have the capacity to be ethical, to report professionally, to have the capacity to pass it on, to spread that story," Ceković said.
As she said, fake news and misinformation do a lot of damage and it is important that institutions deal with this issue actively.
"It is not enough for the Agency to deal with it, it is important that other ministries and state institutions also deal with this issue, that together we raise the issue of media literacy and the fight with these things," Ceković pointed out.
She added that, regarding fake news, it is important to cooperate with social networks, to discover algorithms that potentially favor this type of news.
Ceković emphasized that cooperation with fact-checking organizations is also important.
Speaking about the history of fake news, she said that what was documented was already related to the first printed media in the 16th or 17th century, when the characteristics of sensationalism, false information or providing information for the purpose of some benefit were glimpsed.
"It was set to a new level with the advent of radio and television," said Ceković. As she said, the role of fake news and disinformation in World War II was an example of the influence of the mass media.
Ceković pointed out that in the era of the development of the Internet and technology, fake news has reached a new level.
"The most characteristic example is during Donald Trump's presidential campaign. It is a world-famous example that is studied at many universities", said Ceković.
She said that during that period, a small place in North Macedonia became world famous, where there was a "fake news factory".
"The man managed to get the presidential mandate with the help of fake news, according to political analysts," said Ceković.
As she said, it was with Trump that the expansion of the use of the term "fake news" began, and analysts believe that the term was used 365 percent more than in 2017.
"But we are aware that it is not abating and that even today the number of disinformation and fake news is only spreading and increasing," concluded Ceković.
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