Opinions & Interviews
‘1.5 billion fakes daily’: Markov outlines challenges for journalists in the digital age
MINSK, 23 December (BelTA) – The challenges facing journalists in the online environment are increasing today, Information Minister Marat Markov said at the 12th Forum for Young Journalists Beyond Clickbait, BelTA has learned.
“According to the latest data from the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 61.4% of respondents fully trust state media. This figure has grown annually over the past five years, demonstrating that traditional media, including print, television, and radio, are doing a great job. As for the online environment, the number of challenges is growing, but our methods of work are lagging behind,” stated Marat Markov.
He added that 1.5 billion pieces of fake news are disseminated on social media daily. Moreover, the creation of such fakes often stems not from an intent to break the law, but primarily from a desire to attract attention.
“There are currently 8.4 million internet users in Belarus. If we consider this statistically, even children aged 3 or 4 are likely online constantly. There are 7.6 million active social media users, and, most notably, 79% of them use the internet daily. Since the second half of 2024, the social media audience in Belarus has grown by nearly 2 million. Consequently, the focus of both propaganda and counter-propaganda is shifting to this domain,” the information minister added.
Furthermore, the country already has 7.6 million TikTok users. Just a year ago, studies indicated a figure of 5.5 million. The platform Threads has seen explosive growth, now reaching 533,000 Belarusians in just six months.
Marat Markov emphasized that it is now essential to be proficient not only with social media but also with artificial intelligence. If every editorial office has at least one journalist skilled in working with AI, they can achieve truly outstanding results, though this requires both initiative and a degree of support from the editor-in-chief or the media company’s chief.
“Press freedom must be subordinate to the fundamental need for the integrity of the state. Authority is not a given, but a mechanism that must be safeguarded. Therefore, let us learn to protect our country, including through such modern methods,” concluded the information minister.
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