Russia’s TASS deputy director warns of persistent global information wars

First Deputy General Director of the Russian TASS news agency Mikhail Gusman has emphasised the pervasive nature of information wars across all countries, irrespective of their political systems.

Gusman made these remarks at the panel session “Impact assessment: scoping disinformation” as part of the 2nd Shusha Global Media Forum, Caliber.Az reports.

Gusman described information wars as ongoing phenomena, noting that some nations experience heightened activity while others may appear less affected.

He stressed the perpetual nature of these conflicts, highlighting the necessity for constant vigilance and proactive measures to combat them effectively.

"Unlike active military conflicts, information wars never cease. It is imperative to consistently combat them," Gusman asserted.

Addressing the prevalence of fake news, Gusman categorized it as a potent form of information warfare.

He pointed out that in today's digital age, where information is condensed and disseminated rapidly via mobile devices, fake news can often be mistaken for credible information, especially when societies are unprepared to discern between the two.

"In such circumstances, fake news becomes perceived as reliable, posing a significant challenge to public trust and societal stability," Gusman remarked.

He underscored the crucial role of news agencies in this context, emphasizing that their primary mission should be the dissemination of truthful information rather than engaging in propaganda.

The 2nd Shusha Global Media Forum on "Unmasking False Narratives: Confronting Disinformation" is taking place in the cultural capital of Azerbaijan on July 20-22.

The Forum, attended by over 150 foreign guests from around 50 countries, including news agencies of 30 countries, three international organizations, and 82 media entities, provides a platform for joint discussions and actions among participants.

The first Shusha Global Media Forum themed “New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution” was held on July 21-23, 2023.

The forum includes four panel sessions on "Assessing Impact: Setting the Scope of Disinformation", "Policies and Initiatives for Building a More Disinformation Resistant Society", "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Reality, Media and Disinformation: Promoting Media Literacy" and "The Climate Movement and Media".

Officials, media and civil society, government officials and businessmen, representatives of international organisations and media experts from various countries exchange views and experiences at the panel sessions.

These sessions facilitate discussions among officials from various countries, media and civil society representatives, international organization representatives, and media experts. Participants exchange views and share experiences on the highlighted topics.