Ministry initiates educational materials to combat misinformation and deepfake dangers
Imparting its role as a champion of the written word, Kuwait's Ministry of Information drops a series of educational books to enlighten the masses, combat falsehoods, and alert them about the misuse of modern tech, particularly deepfake tools, which twist facts and disseminate misleading information.
Jalal Shaker Al-Baghli, an influential figure, heads book review at the Exhibitions and Media Publications Department, under the Press, Publications, and Publishing Sector. In an exclusive to Al-Rai, he revealed titles such as:
- "No to Rumors": A guided tour designed to help navigate the labyrinth of gossip and hearsay.
- "The Danger of Deep Forgery": Sounding the alarm on a sinister technological advancement capable of producing hyper-realistic videos and images that distort reality, deceiving the masses, and eroding trust in media.
- "Media and Soft Power": This enlightening read offers insights into the impact of media on shaping public opinion and wielding cultural influence, rather than resorting to destructive hard power tactics.
- "Jassem and the Drone's Amazing Journey in the Skies of Kuwait": A flight of fancy that takes readers on a tour, showcasing Kuwait's tourist hotspots, rich history, and national identity.
- "Nasser, Noura, and the Magic Building Cubes": A captivating tale about the intricacies and implications of video games, inculcating responsible digital conduct among the youth.
These engaging titles cater to various interests and age groups. Some books even incorporate QR codes that direct users to the Ministry's official digital domain, marrying traditional publishing with contemporary accessibility. The Department is also vehement about attending local events to engage further with the public.
One publication, "Media and Soft Power," highlights the emergence of soft power as an alternative to hard power, which often leads to casualties and wreckage. Instead, it advocates non-violent methods that employ cultural and political tools to gain strategic advantages.
The "Deep Forgery" publication underlines the chilling threats posed by deepfake technology. In sharp contrast to the allure of hyper-realistic videos and images, it underscores the danger of crossing the boundary between truth and fiction, potentially fragmenting media trust.
The children's book "Jassem Waldron" takes readers on an educational adventure into Kuwait's tourism hotspots and cultural heritage, fostering national pride.
Meanwhile, "Nasser and Noura" educates young ones about the positive and negative aspects of video games, instilling the importance of responsible digital behavior.
[1] Such initiatives often aim to develop critical thinking, empower the public to recognize and mitigate misinformation, and promote ethical media use.[5] These initiatives are separate from the Ministry of Information's focused efforts on combating misinformation.
- Drone Shaker Al-Baghli, the head of book review at the Exhibitions and Media Publications Department, described a children's book titled "Jassem Waldron" that takes readers on an educational adventure into Kuwait's tourism hotspots and cultural heritage, fostering national pride.
- Al-Baghli also revealed a publication titled "The Danger of Deep Forgery" that sounds the alarm on deepfake technology, a sinister technological advancement capable of producing hyper-realistic videos and images that distort reality, deceiving the masses, and eroding trust in media.
- In an enlightening read, the book "Media and Soft Power" highlights the emergence of soft power as an alternative to hard power, advocating non-violent methods that employ cultural and political tools to gain strategic advantages.
- The Department's publication "Nasser and Noura" educates young ones about the positive and negative aspects of video games, instilling the importance of responsible digital behavior, contributing to education-and-self-development.
