Abdul Hafiz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Reconciliation Affairs, emphasized the critical need for a multi-pronged approach to combat disinformation, labeling it more dangerous than missiles today. He stated that future conflicts will begin with viral content rather than weapons, advocating for the establishment of truth as a national strength.
Hafiz spoke at a seminar titled “Resilience in the Information Domain: Tools to Address Misinformation and Disinformation on Social Media”, jointly organized by the Armed Forces Division and the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST). He urged participants to develop indigenous fact-checking tools, research AI solutions for countering deep fakes, and incorporate media literacy into education.
Other speakers, including Lt Gen Kamrul Hassan, highlighted the necessity of sustainable strategies to secure accurate information in the digital age, along with enhancing cybersecurity. They stressed the importance of combining technological innovation with policy formulation and educational efforts to effectively combat propaganda and disinformation.
Participants suggested focusing on strategies to counter the societal impact of misinformation and recommended immediate action and institutional capacity building. The seminar aimed to raise awareness among military and civilian sectors on creating a stable information space through responsible social media use.
