A panel discussion by the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights on the third day of the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
The parliamentarians from around the world have stressed the need of legislation to monitor social media to limit the dissemination of lies and fabricated news through these platforms.
During a debate by the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights on the sidelines of the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), they unanimously agreed on the need to deal with fake news through effective legislation while protecting the freedom of press and expression.
They also suggested the establishment of an international body to address the new challenge as individual countries could not provide solutions to counter the phenomenon of fake news and other cyber crimes.
They noted that it is difficult to distinguish between the correct and fabricated news because of the software and modern technologies that publish news and videos and falsely attribute them to public figures in a way that is not easily verifiable.
The session also discussed previous IPU resolutions from recent years which included democracy in the digital era and the threats it causes to privacy and individual rights approved in 2015, as well as the use of media for citizen engagement approved in 2013 and freedom of expression and the right to receive information approved in 2009.
They also discussed the actions taken by their respective countries and the measures adopted during the previous years, aiming to reduce the risks of uncontrolled flow of information on social media sites.
The majority of speakers in the meeting supported the need to take the necessary measures to meet the challenge posed by the new media.
“Freedom of expression is an inherent human right and one of the national principles which cannot be undermined. But we warn of chaos from the publishing and broadcasting of materials without restrictions or conditions that fall within the limits of deception,” said Ali Al Daqbaashi, Member of the National Assembly of Kuwait.
He called for cooperation between countries and social media companies to achieve the required balance between reducing misleading and fake content and ensuring freedom of expression.
A member of the Gabon Parliament said that the idea of talking about Internet related legislation by non-governmental organizations would undermine the authority of the State. He stressed the need of legislation involving all countries.
For his part, member of the Iraqi parliament stressed the need of imposing sanctions on the promoters of hate speech.
Dr. Abdullah Al Amri, member of the Consultative Council of Oman, said that the false and misleading news on social media had become one of serious threats to international peace and security.
The session hosted experts in technology and new media and how they work, and possible measures to reduce the risks of false news that are becoming a source of concern for countries and peoples.
During the session, some members propose an establishment of an international body to monitor social platforms and to take punitive measures against violators, while some called for more cooperation between countries because it is cross-border crime.
