Media Literacy and Combating Disinformation Highlighted at Yemeni Media Conference

The fourth day of the Third Yemeni Media Conference opened with a session on disinformation and the growing need for media literacy in today’s digital landscape.

Discussions centered on how the constant flow of information through modern technology affects our perception of facts, emphasizing the importance of media literacy skills.

Dr. Mujib Al-Humaidi, a media expert, began by stressing that media literacy is not just essential for professionals but for society at large. He highlighted that understanding the motives behind combating disinformation is crucial and called for cultivating a culture of inquiry and research to uncover the truth. He explained, “We must instill a culture of research and inquiry to reach the truth.”

Al-Humaidi also addressed the challenges of media education, presenting findings from his research on university students across seven Arab countries. He called for increased cognitive awareness, the development of university curricula, and a boost in research to counter the spread of disinformation and hate speech.

UNESCO’s Role in Addressing Disinformation
UNESCO played an active role in the conference, particularly in the discussions around media and information literacy.

Najib Mokni, a communications specialist from UNESCO’s Doha office, emphasized the need for critical thinking and media literacy skills to ensure quality journalism. He referenced a 2023 UNESCO survey, which revealed that 85% of respondents from 16 countries expressed concerns over disinformation, fake news, and hate speech.

Mokni highlighted the decline in public trust due to the spread of rumors, attributing the problem to technological advances and AI. He stressed that media literacy is crucial to combating these issues and reviewed UNESCO’s ongoing efforts, including programs aimed at building media literacy and developing a national strategy for Yemen.

Mokni concluded by inviting stakeholders to participate in an upcoming UNESCO program launching in October, designed to enhance the skills of media professionals and content creators in producing content free from disinformation.