Countering disinformation and fake news and the tools to deal with it

Session

Journalism, Media and Communication

Description

This article aims to reflect the current state of regulation of the concept of disinformation and the spread of fake news in Albania. The article analyzes the concept of disinformation, the purpose of regulatory measures against disinformation, and that their content and implementation can only be correctly tackled if a comprehensive approach of national and international legislation, regulatory and co-regulatory aspects and joint efforts with the general public is considered. What is actually disinformation? Disinformation is defined as false or inaccurate content, which is spread through media tools, with the aim of deceiving or securing economic or political benefits, and which may cause public harm. Disinformation is easily created by digital tools such as image manipulation, spreads rapidly through social networks and other online services, and can be artificially amplified by manipulative measures such as artificial intelligence. The spread of misinformation can have a number of harmful consequences, such as threatening the rule of law, polarizing debates and endangering the health, safety and environment of citizens of our societies. The measures of the regulatory authorities against such "harmful" contents are delicate,, because they constitute, in essence, an interference with the freedoms of speech that go beyond the general laws and the rights of third parties. In fact, very few national laws recognize a precise legal definition of disinformation. Specifically, the Albanian national law (law no. 97/2013 "On audiovisual media in the Republic of Albania, amended) does not define "disinformation", or in general the so-called "disorder of information", but it contains elements that include the obligation of the broadcasting entities of a balanced, professional and ethical reporting of the content, for verification of facts, as well as the right of the injured party to file a complaint about a broadcasted or published content. For example, during the election campaign process, each subject has the right to address the AMA (in accordance with point 3 (b) of article 51, of law no. 97/2013, amended) and the State Election Commissioner for various complaints about the content transmitted. Also, every subject has the right to appeal to the court. However, the risk of the public falling prey to disinformation campaigns is a major challenge, not only for Albania and the Western Balkans region, but also for Europe, and as such, requires a coordinated response from national regulators, EU institutions, online platforms, news media and all citizens. It is important to note that the European Commission has developed a number of initiatives to tackle disinformation and ensure the protection of EU values, such as the EU's Enhanced Disinformation Code, or the Digital Services Act (DSA). While these legal acts serve as good practices and guidelines for national regulatory authorities to carry out their work in dealing with disinformation, a broader approach of cooperation of all relevant actors should be taken, especially in strengthening media literacy among young people and other vulnerable groups.

Keywords:

Disinformation, regulatory authority, fake news, media literacy

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-550-95-6

Location

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

Start Date

28-10-2023 8:00 AM

End Date

29-10-2023 6:00 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2023.42

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Oct 28th, 8:00 AM Oct 29th, 6:00 PM

Countering disinformation and fake news and the tools to deal with it

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

This article aims to reflect the current state of regulation of the concept of disinformation and the spread of fake news in Albania. The article analyzes the concept of disinformation, the purpose of regulatory measures against disinformation, and that their content and implementation can only be correctly tackled if a comprehensive approach of national and international legislation, regulatory and co-regulatory aspects and joint efforts with the general public is considered. What is actually disinformation? Disinformation is defined as false or inaccurate content, which is spread through media tools, with the aim of deceiving or securing economic or political benefits, and which may cause public harm. Disinformation is easily created by digital tools such as image manipulation, spreads rapidly through social networks and other online services, and can be artificially amplified by manipulative measures such as artificial intelligence. The spread of misinformation can have a number of harmful consequences, such as threatening the rule of law, polarizing debates and endangering the health, safety and environment of citizens of our societies. The measures of the regulatory authorities against such "harmful" contents are delicate,, because they constitute, in essence, an interference with the freedoms of speech that go beyond the general laws and the rights of third parties. In fact, very few national laws recognize a precise legal definition of disinformation. Specifically, the Albanian national law (law no. 97/2013 "On audiovisual media in the Republic of Albania, amended) does not define "disinformation", or in general the so-called "disorder of information", but it contains elements that include the obligation of the broadcasting entities of a balanced, professional and ethical reporting of the content, for verification of facts, as well as the right of the injured party to file a complaint about a broadcasted or published content. For example, during the election campaign process, each subject has the right to address the AMA (in accordance with point 3 (b) of article 51, of law no. 97/2013, amended) and the State Election Commissioner for various complaints about the content transmitted. Also, every subject has the right to appeal to the court. However, the risk of the public falling prey to disinformation campaigns is a major challenge, not only for Albania and the Western Balkans region, but also for Europe, and as such, requires a coordinated response from national regulators, EU institutions, online platforms, news media and all citizens. It is important to note that the European Commission has developed a number of initiatives to tackle disinformation and ensure the protection of EU values, such as the EU's Enhanced Disinformation Code, or the Digital Services Act (DSA). While these legal acts serve as good practices and guidelines for national regulatory authorities to carry out their work in dealing with disinformation, a broader approach of cooperation of all relevant actors should be taken, especially in strengthening media literacy among young people and other vulnerable groups.