President Aoun Calls on Media to Defend Truth, Combat Misinformation

In a powerful address at the 21st Arab Media Forum, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun delivered an impassioned plea for truth in journalism, warning that society has entered a “post-truth era” where misinformation threatens democratic foundations and social cohesion.

“The truth is boring, it’s bland, the rumor however is fascinating and thrilling,” President Aoun observed, describing this fundamental tension as “the dilemma of our time.” His remarks underscored growing concerns about the deterioration of fact-based discourse in an age of social media algorithms and artificial intelligence.

Speaking to an audience of prominent journalists and media executives from across the Arab world, Aoun highlighted the media’s critical role as “messengers of this era” during a period of unprecedented technological transformation. The forum, one of the region’s most influential media gatherings, provided a platform for examining challenges facing journalism in the Middle East.

The President’s address comes at a particularly challenging moment for media organizations globally. Traditional news outlets continue to face financial pressures as advertising revenue increasingly flows to tech giants like Google and Meta. Meanwhile, studies show public trust in media institutions has declined sharply in many countries.

Aoun specifically cautioned political leaders against building governance models on deception. “What is built on falsehood is false, even if it prevails for a while,” he stated, emphasizing that a leader’s fundamental duty is to speak truth “however costly, hard, or bitter it may be.”

Media experts at the forum noted the particular relevance of these remarks in the Middle East, where press freedom faces significant challenges. According to Reporters Without Borders’ 2023 Press Freedom Index, many countries in the region continue to rank among the most restrictive environments for independent journalism.

The President grounded his appeal in international human rights frameworks, specifically citing Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression. He balanced this with reference to Article 29, which establishes that these freedoms come with responsibilities toward community standards and public welfare.

President Aoun traced the evolution of media from traditional print newspapers through digital transformation and now into the era of artificial intelligence. Each technological shift, he observed, has brought both opportunities and challenges for truth-telling in journalism. The rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and image generators has raised new concerns about synthetic media and deepfakes potentially undermining public trust in visual evidence.

Media economics also featured prominently in Aoun’s analysis. He highlighted the necessity for news organizations to maintain financial independence while competing in a landscape dominated by global technology platforms. This economic challenge remains particularly acute in Lebanon, which has experienced severe economic contraction since 2019, forcing several historic newspapers to cease print operations.

In his conclusion, President Aoun connected Lebanon’s cultural heritage to the mission of contemporary journalism. “You are gathered here in Lebanon, the birthplace of the alphabet and the land that has always strived for freedom and advocated for truth,” he reminded the audience, linking the country’s ancient contributions to written communication with today’s struggle to preserve factual discourse.

The forum continues tomorrow with panel discussions focused on digital media sustainability, combating disinformation, and maintaining journalistic standards amid political polarization across the region.

“Long live the responsible, independent, and free media,” Aoun declared in his final remarks. “May our people live in goodness and freedom.”