Objective reporting needed more than ever to counter fake news

Journalist organizations from around the world need a better means of cooperation for reporting on the coronavirus and helping societies deal with the consequences brought by the pandemic, professionals from a range of countries said.

Even as thousands of journalists put themselves at risk as they record people's battles against the virus, they also have to contend with the proliferation of fake news－often accompanied by absurd remarks－that is aimed at diverting the public's attention.

In this environment, journalist organizations should continue to promote practical cooperation in order to spread the truth and give people more confidence in the fight against the pandemic, said Xu Lin, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of the State Council Information Office.

It is hoped that the Belt and Road Journalists Network, a platform for exchanges and cooperation, can become a bridge for connections and communication, Xu said during an online forum on Thursday.

Participants in the 2020 Belt and Road Journalists Forum discussed how media from the countries involved can strengthen their unity and cooperation amid the pandemic to build a shared future. The online event drew opinions from people in countries including China, Argentina, Indonesia and Pakistan.

Lidia Irma Fagale, president of the Union of Journalists of Buenos Aires, said media should continue to strengthen and develop media tools and share among themselves their reporting experiences.

Multiple angles

"We need to have more exchanges," she said. "The network has been encouraging colleagues from different countries to exchange experiences through the platform and improve themselves from multiple angles."

Fagale, also the first chairwoman of the network, appealed to media organizations to join the battle against the practice by many of distorting facts, manipulating information, and slandering.

Atal Sembiring Depari, general chairperson of the Indonesian Journalists Association, said he hoped that member states of the network could support each other and expand coverage on how to scientifically prevent and control the pandemic, so as to avoid the impacts of inaccurate news.

"The network should also publish more positive stories to help generate an optimistic attitude, and give people confidence that we are capable of eliminating the pandemic," he said.

Timur Shafir, head of the International Department of the Union of Journalists of Russia, called for more joint training and reporting activities for journalists to strengthen cooperation and dialogue.

"Each of our countries has its own unique experience, which can be shared with other colleagues for the prosperity of our profession and our common interests," he said.

Bulbul Ahsan, chairman of Bangladesh's Media Watch, said colleagues from the participating countries need to determine common development goals and to unite together to fight the common enemy of rumors, discrimination, fake news, and false condemnations.