The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum has emerged as a critical flashpoint for addressing the structural integrity of modern global information systems. Gathering international experts and media regulators, the event focused on the precarious state of digital discourse in an era defined by rapid technological shifts. Among the keynote speakers was Latifa Akharbach, President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) of Morocco, who highlighted the growing paradox of news consumption: while access to information has never been more ubiquitous, the foundational reliability of that information has never been more fragile.
A central theme of Akharbach’s address was the statistical reality of contemporary media consumption, noting that 56% of modern audiences now rely primarily on social media platforms for their daily news. This paradigm shift has fundamentally rewritten how society interacts with current events, yet it has simultaneously introduced existential risks. Akharbach underscored that the ubiquity of these platforms has paved the way for widespread ambiguity, as the speed of information delivery often outpaces the capacity for human verification, leaving users vulnerable to manipulation and distortion.
Beyond the immediate technical challenges of flagging false data, Akharbach argued that the primary mission for global media authorities is the restoration of public trust. The erosion of institutional credibility has created a vacuum that is frequently filled by sensationalism and unverified reports, further polarising public opinion. She suggested that simply fighting disinformation is merely a reactive measure; the deeper objective must be to foster a media environment where professional standards are not just expected, but are the primary filter through which public discourse is managed.
Highlighting the diversity of the media landscape, the HACA president emphasized that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to the digital dilemma. She noted that every nation possesses a unique developmental history and a specific cultural approach to communication, necessitating tailored strategies for media regulation. By recognizing these individual nuances, global forums like the one in Shusha serve as essential clearinghouses for ideas, allowing nations to compare successes and failures while adapting best practices to their own domestic frameworks.
In this digitized landscape, traditional, professional journalism faces a vital redirection of its purpose. Akharbach stressed that the role of journalism is moving away from being the sole gatekeeper of information toward becoming a beacon of accountability. As, public discussions continue to migrate toward decentralized social platforms, the rigorous application of fact-checking and the commitment to serving the public interest become the last lines of defense against a tide of misinformation. This, according to the forum consensus, is the essential pivot required to sustain a healthy democratic society.
Ultimately, the forum concluded that the crisis of accuracy is one of the defining challenges of the 21st century. By bringing global regulators together, stakeholders are beginning to move toward a more cohesive, albeit localized, strategy for resilience. Through the synthesis of professional editorial standards and the strategic use of new media tools, the goal remains clear: to ensure that the 56% of the population currently reliant on social media feeds are not just receiving content, but are engaging with trustworthy, verified, and meaningful information.
