Media Expert: Freedom of Speech is a Responsibility and Fake News Threatens Societies

Fake news poses a real danger. That is the core of the warning issued by Dr. Howaida Mostafa, Deputy Head of the State Information Service and former Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University. She spoke during an interview on the "Arabity" program broadcast on Masr Radio. Mostafa stressed that social media platforms aren't an open space for publishing unregulated content.

Freedom of Expression and Social Responsibility

All countries around the world tie freedom of expression to social responsibility, as Mostafa explained. This equation protects individuals and the state from misleading content spreading online. She emphasized that freedom of expression is a guaranteed right, but it never means publishing undocumented information or harming others. Leniency here opens the door to informational chaos.

The Impact of Misinformation on Public Awareness

Fake news, inaccurate information, or content taken out of context has become one of the most dangerous contemporary challenges. This phenomenon isn't merely a minor annoyance; it distorts public awareness and creates profound negative effects within society. Mostafa stressed that confronting this danger requires strict measures, noting that many countries have imposed firm policies requiring digital platforms to fully comply with their responsibilities.

The core message here is clear. Freedom of speech doesn't equate to chaos, and collective awareness needs protection from digital toxins spreading at lightning speed.