Muscat: Speaking to the Oman News Agency (ONA), experts called for a national strategy that integrates education, artificial intelligence (AI), and responsible journalism to limit the impact of misinformation on society.

Dr. Khalsa bint Hamad Al Bahriya, an educational researcher at the Ministry of Education, stressed that schools play a key role in teaching students and their families how to recognize and debunk rumors. She suggested:

Incorporating media literacy into school curricula
Organizing workshops and seminars with media experts
Encouraging students to engage in research projects on misinformation

She highlighted that rumors in schools often relate to academics, health, and teachers, potentially affecting students’ performance and decision-making.

While artificial intelligence has been a tool for spreading misinformation, it also provides powerful defenses against it, explained Dr. Muammar bin Ali Al-Tobi, an Omani academic and researcher. AI can:

Analyze big data to detect fake news patterns
Classify content accuracy using machine learning and deep learning
Enhance verification tools that alert users to questionable information

However, he warned that AI must work hand-in-hand with human oversight to avoid errors in classification and improve credibility.

Dr. Sabra bint Saif Al Harrasi, a specialist in psychological and educational counseling, underscored that parents must lead by example in verifying news. She urged families to:

Educate themselves on digital literacy before guiding their children
Encourage open discussions on misinformation
Teach children to analyze news critically rather than accepting viral content at face value

She also highlighted the role of emotions in believing rumors, explaining that many false narratives manipulate fear, anger, or excitement to gain traction.

Responsible journalism remains one of the most effective tools against misinformation, said Professor Dr. Hosni Nasr, a journalism expert at Sultan Qaboos University. He called on media organizations to:

Verify facts before publishing
Promote transparency in news sources

Engage experts to analyze and debunk false narratives
He acknowledged that journalists face challenges in an era of rapid information flow, as the rush to break news often conflicts with the time needed to fact-check and ensure accuracy.

Government agencies, including the Government Communication Center, have been actively monitoring and addressing misleading content, issuing clarifications when needed. Additionally, the Ministry of Information recently held the “Towards a National Framework for Dealing with Social Media” session to tackle digital challenges and enhance social media awareness in line with Oman Vision 2040.
Experts agreed that fighting misinformation requires a collective effort, blending education, technology, and responsible media practices to create a society equipped to navigate the digital age with confidence and critical thinking.