Traditional media contributing to false news for revenues

"Facebook has become the best and worst example of one-track approach"

Traditional media - such as newspapers, television channels and radio - has contributed to false news due to dwindling financial returns from advertising and waning audience, said Ali Jaber, director general of the MBC TV channel.
 
He added that the desperate attempt to keep up with the virtual world has made their news content doubtful as they do not verify facts while sensationalizing a story to stay in competition with the other media.
 
Ali Jaber was speaking at a session during the 16th Arab Media Forum.
 
He said that the false news and alternative facts do affect media discourse and this has political outcome, while citing examples of Brexit and Donald Trump's win in the US presidential election.
 
He said, "The Internet has allowed for a flood of news sources, some true and others wrong. This technology has knocked the doors of a dangerous world full of false news that is spreading like wildfire."
He added false news becomes a reality regardless of any sensory evidence that is opposed to it because of people's trust in the websites.
 
He said that two thirds of Americans get their news through social networking sites, as anyone can become a publisher through the means of social communication.
 
The Internet has provided a news service specifically designed for a group of consumers, he pointed out. "People who have a common opinion are close to one another in belief."
 
"Facebook has become the best and worst example of one-track approach. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter will give the follower the news of his own without verifying its credibility and accuracy," he said, dubbing news dissemination on the Internet as "catastrophic".
"Large blogs have brought in huge financial revenues through the broadcast of news based on lies and rumours," he lamented.

• UAE
• Dubai

Amira Agarib

amira@khaleejtimes.com