Najaf’s Imam Al-Kadhim University combats misinformation through theatrical performance

NAJAF — Students from the Media Department at Imam Al-Kadhim University presented a theatrical performance to tackle the spread of misinformation in media during their second annual festival marking World Television Day. The festival, themed “Conveying the Truth,” featured student-led productions and expert discussions on scientific techniques for verifying the authenticity of information and distinguishing truth from falsehood.

Dr. Hussein Al-Karawi, the department coordinator, highlighted the event’s objectives, stating, “The Media Department organized the World Television Day Festival, featuring various segments produced entirely by our students. This year, we focused on ‘conveying the truth’ and avoiding false or misleading news through theatrical performances and television reports. The goal was to emphasize the importance of truthful news to the public and demonstrate technical methods for verifying information.”

Hiba Ali, a media student, addressed the dangers of misinformation, particularly on digital platforms, saying, “There is a significant amount of misleading news on social media platforms due to the sheer number of outlets. Some media organizations even adopt these false reports, deceiving audiences. It is crucial for people to verify the accuracy of information before engaging with it. Unfortunately, many share news without fact-checking, contributing to the spread of misinformation.”

Dr. Muslim Abbas, a media professor, reflected on the evolution of the information landscape and its challenges. “In the past, we suffered from a lack of information. Today, we face an overabundance, along with a surge in misleading news,” he said. “The department equips students with skills to combat misinformation through media literacy courses. These teach students methods for verifying and critically examining the credibility of information.”

Abbas also pointed out a systemic issue in the media industry. “A current challenge is the presence of unqualified individuals in the media, spreading false news without the tools or knowledge to verify it properly,” he noted.

In Iraq, as in many other countries, misinformation is a significant challenge, with authorities often issuing clarifications to counteract false narratives.