Pakistan Among Countries Most Affected by Misinformation and Disinformation, Warns Global Report
Islamabad: Misinformation and misleading narratives have emerged as one of the biggest global threats, and Pakistan has now been included in the list of countries severely impacted by these issues. According to a recent global report, fake information is posing a significant challenge, and Pakistan is experiencing its adverse effects in various sectors.
The 2024 Global Risks Report by the World Economic Forum highlights that experts from around the world have identified misinformation and false narratives as major risks for several countries in the next two years. This issue is not only affecting societal harmony but is also having deep impacts on the economic, political, and environmental sectors.
The report emphasizes that Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to the threats posed by misinformation. In the coming two years, fake news and misleading narratives could become one of the most critical challenges for the country. The impact of misinformation is expected to rank among the fourth to sixth most significant challenges for Pakistan.
In Pakistan, misinformation is fueling sectarianism, religious conflicts, and social divisions, undermining social cohesion. This issue is contributing to social unrest, political instability, and eroding the credibility of democratic institutions, as well as diminishing public trust.
The report also points out that India faces the highest risk of misinformation, ranking first, while the United States stands at number six. The United Kingdom and Mexico are ranked eleventh, and Indonesia faces this challenge at the eighteenth position.
According to the World Economic Forum’s analysis, if this problem is not addressed effectively, it could weaken democratic institutions and lead to greater political instability.
To combat the rising tide of misinformation, the report calls for not only legislative action but also efforts in raising public awareness, implementing educational reforms, and ensuring greater transparency on digital platforms.
