Combating Misinformation in the Arab World: Challenges and Opportunities

Membership in ACM includes a subscription to Communications of the ACM (CACM), the computing industry's most trusted source for staying connected to the world of advanced computing. Addressing the Arab world's unique challenges against misinformation and disinformation requires efforts at technical, institutional, and social levels. Misinformation and disinformation are global risks. However, the Arab region is particularly vulnerable due to its geopolitical instabilities, linguistic diversity, and other cultural nuances. Misinformation includes false or misleading content, such as rumors, satire taken as fact, or conspiracy theories, while disinformation is the intentional and targeted spread of such content to deceive or manipulate specific audiences. To limit the spread and influence of misinformation, it is essential to advance research on technological methods for early detection, tracking, and mitigation, while also strengthening media literacy and promoting active citizen participation.