Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar emphasized his country’s commitment to forming partnerships with Saudi Arabia to enhance digital media production, journalism, content creation, and new media business models.
He also highlighted the importance of digital transformation and financial sustainability in the modern media landscape, noting that the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh introduced innovative initiatives and comprehensive solutions to contemporary challenges.
Tarar told Asharq Al-Awsat that Islamabad and Riyadh share strong historical and cultural ties. He praised Saudi Arabia for its forward-thinking initiatives that promote prosperity, economic growth, and increased commercial activities.
Tarar expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation with the Kingdom, particularly in addressing emerging challenges such as misinformation and fake news facilitated by modern technologies.
Tarar noted that the Saudi Media Forum, which he recently attended in Riyadh, provided a valuable platform to learn from Saudi Arabia’s media expertise and foster collaboration between media sectors while discussing the latest industry trends.
“This is a remarkable step under the Vision 2030 Saudi Arabia which is progressing under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister,” he remarked.
“Hosting a large number of global leaders in Riyadh for fostering media cooperation to create a livable and sustainable future for our generations especially by mitigating its potentially chaotic challenges such as misinformation and disinformation, fake news, propaganda,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Tarar stressed the need for collaboration among media professionals to tackle issues arising from rapid technological advancements, such as the unethical use of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology.
While technology presents challenges, it also offers solutions, he said, underscoring the need for greater media pluralism—not only to address technological threats but also to defend against cybersecurity risks that could escalate into international conflicts.
“The people gathered here are not merely numbers but brilliant brains who will work together and by sharing knowledge and expertise to counter issues emanating with evolution of technology such unethical use of AI and deep fake,” he remarked.
Furthermore, Tarar urged social media platforms and online content providers to take greater responsibility for the content they host.
He noted: “Social media platforms and online content providers must be held accountable for the content they host. Stricter policies against misinformation and malicious actors, coupled with collaborations with independent fact-checking organizations, can enhance platform integrity.”
“Nations must workout legal frameworks to address the problems of the media evolving in the modern world entailing problems like misinformation and cyber threats,” he urged.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted the importance of raising awareness and instilling individual responsibility among digital media users. He called for large-scale awareness campaigns and joint training programs for content creators to promote ethical media practices and reduce harmful content.
“Awareness creation to inculcate individual responsibility among the people are the main consumer of the content from the platforms of the digital media,” he said. “The users of these platforms must be educated about the harmful content and its implications through massive sensitization campaigns.”
“We must also initiate joint trainings for content creators to equip them with the media ethics that will help a great deal in curbing the virility of harmful content,” he explained.
