Media literacy is increasingly being recognized as a powerful tool against the rising tide of disinformation and misinformation, highlighted at the recent IFE Conference 2025. Felipe Chibás, a noted professor from the University of São Paulo and the 2023 recipient of UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy Award, placed significant emphasis on developing Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Cities. This model goes beyond traditional media education and aims to inform entire urban populations, including smaller communities and universities, about the essentials of media literacy, integrating ethics and digital technology.
Chibás voiced concerns about the disconnect between the rapid evolution of technology and the slower development of ethical frameworks to manage its use. He mentioned, “It’s about merging technology—such as artificial intelligence—with the human element, emphasizing ethics and dismantling cultural barriers.” This approach can potentially counter the explosion of fake news and hate speech exacerbated by the digital age.
His insights come at a time when cybercriminals and state-backed groups are increasingly exploiting new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), for malicious purposes. A report from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group uncovered how threat actors have begun utilizing AI tools like Gemini to scale phishing attacks and manipulate public perceptions through misinformation. “Rather than enabling disruptive change, generative AI allows threat actors to move faster and at higher volume,” the report stated.
The use of AI is not just limited to refined email scams and the hacking of information systems, but it extends to the creation and dissemination of propaganda. Examples of this can be seen through the evolution of disinformation tactics amid rising geopolitical tensions. During last year’s strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, misinformation managed to flourish on social media platforms. A viral, misleading video claimed to show Egyptian troops training in Somalia, misleadingly indicating foreign military involvement.
Fact-checkers from organizations like HaqCheck are striving to counter such misleading narratives. Their efforts highlight the effectiveness of training local experts to recognize and debunk false information. Kirubel Tesfaye, lead fact-checker for HaqCheck, remarked, “Fake information is causing great damage to organizations and the country,” underlining the importance of vigilance and education.
Internationally, the spread of misinformation poses significant dangers. The Amnesty International report on the role of social media platforms like Facebook during ethnic tensions revealed worrying findings about how algorithms can amplify harmful rhetoric and contribute to societal fractures. Such findings highlight the need for greater corporate social responsibility and effective moderation techniques on social media platforms.
Afghanistan-based organizations are not the only ones combating misinformation; Western nations are similarly grappling with foreign interference. A recent inquiry led by Canadian commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue established no evidence of direct collusion among parliamentarians with foreign governments but acknowledged the growing threat of disinformation. While affirming the integrity of recent federal elections, the report urged improved measures for transparency and preparedness against misinformation.
Hogue stated, “It is no exaggeration to say... [that] information manipulation poses the single biggest risk to our democracy,” emphasizing the urgency of the situation. She recommended several measures, including fostering collaboration among government, businesses, and civil society to comprehensively address foreign interference.
Error margins remain, as the inquiry discovered lapses where government response to potential interference wasn't efficient enough. Several organizations are also crunching down on fraudulent activity related to political agendas, reflecting the multifaceted nature of this crisis. While these disinformation scales vary—from propaganda to more targeted cyber-attacks— they all demand coordinated countermeasures.
The immediate response to the concerns surrounding foreign interference continues to evolve. For example, the Liberal government of Canada has been urged to adopt various recommendations swiftly, including enhancing support for fact-checking initiatives and the overarching need for improved cyber defenses. At the heart of these conversations is the bilateral responsibility of the public sector and society to uphold free and transparent democratic processes.
Keen observers of this topic suggest there may be no sweeping solutions; instead, it requires continual adaptation and vigilance. Experts like Chibás advocate for integrating ethics and comprehensive literacy experiences as proactive measures against misinformation. By fostering digital literacy within communities, the chance of effectively countering disinformation increases significantly.
Different facets of misinformation require unique strategies—whether it’s leveraging AI’s predictive capabilities to detect disinformation faster or training individuals to navigate hybrid information spaces. This dual approach could provide communities with tools to respond to nuanced threats from misinformation campaigns.
Given the high stakes involved, collaboration across government, academia, and civil society is imperative. A willingness to adapt and innovate is central to combating the widespread threats posed by disinformation and foreign interference—reflecting the reality of our interconnected socio-political environment now more than ever. The need for educational frameworks, digital literacy programs, and proactive measures to fortify democracy is clear; active participation will define the success of these initiatives.
These developments reveal not just the challenges faced by modern democracies but also the foundations necessary for societal resilience against misinformation. With continued collaborative efforts and advancements in technology management, there's hope for cultivating informed populations capable of discerning truth from deception. This endeavor must remain at the forefront of policy-making and public discourse to protect the integrity of democratic processes worldwide.