Minister Paul Marqos Launches National Campaign Against Misinformation

Paul Marqos, the Minister of Information, held a press conference in the meeting hall of his ministry office to announce the launch of the "National Campaign to Combat Misinformation" under the slogan "Be Part of the Truth... Not of Misinformation." The campaign is funded by UNIFIL and implemented in collaboration with UNESCO. It has begun broadcasting through various media outlets to highlight the campaign’s objectives, outcomes, and its role in raising media awareness and countering false information. The campaign includes promotional videos encouraging the fight against rumors and fake news and urging verification before sharing information.

The event was attended by Paulo Fontani, the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, George Awad, the head of the communication sector at UNESCO, along with several journalists and media professionals.

Campaign Aims and Minister's Remarks

Minister Marqos explained that this campaign is not the first joint initiative between the Ministry of Information and UNESCO but is part of a series of collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing media awareness and reinforcing principles of responsibility in public discourse.

He noted the particular sensitivity of the current period, marked by war, which necessitates focusing on combating misinformation and false news due to their negative impact on societies, especially during crises.

Marqos emphasized that the spread of misinformation increases social tension and contributes to inflaming political disputes, potentially escalating into social unrest and security incidents if continuous awareness efforts are not maintained to address the risks and mitigate the effects of this phenomenon.

He stressed the importance of strengthening media literacy among citizens and empowering them to verify information before sharing it. The campaign also aims to promote media responsibility and establish the concept of responsible freedom of expression, balancing the protection of public freedoms with respect for others’ rights and dignity. He affirmed that freedom remains a fundamental value to be preserved but must be exercised within the framework of social responsibility and not as hate speech.

Cooperation with UNESCO and Legal Developments

Marqos highlighted the multiple areas of cooperation with UNESCO, including submitting protest memoranda concerning Israeli attacks targeting journalists, which resulted in the deaths of some, appreciating UNESCO’s support and follow-up on these issues.

He also praised UNESCO’s role over recent years in supporting the new media law project in Lebanon, which has reached advanced legislative stages. He explained that the law’s enactment would have represented a qualitative shift in the Lebanese media landscape by enhancing responsible media freedom, abolishing certain criminal judicial authorities related to publication cases such as the Publications Court, preventing pretrial detention in cases of opinion and expression, and focusing on fines rather than custodial penalties.

Marqos extended his thanks to UNESCO and other local and international partners, including UNIFIL, which contributed to producing the awareness videos, confirming that these efforts did not impose any financial burden on the public treasury. He announced that the Ministry of Information will continue to carry out new awareness campaigns in partnership with other international organizations such as UNDP and specialized production companies without cost to the treasury.

Educational Use and Verification Unit

He mentioned that the series of more than ten videos will be used as educational material in schools and universities and have been distributed to educational communication groups. These videos will be highlighted during a joint conference scheduled for the following week at the National Library in the industrial area, in cooperation with relevant ministries, particularly the Ministry of Education, as part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of fake news and the misuse of social media, aiming to promote positive communication and consolidate societal awareness.

Marqos stated that the ministry has activated a fact-checking unit in collaboration with UNESCO to monitor and combat misinformation and publish corrections through the National News Agency. He called on citizens to verify the accuracy of information before sharing it, emphasizing that everyone is a partner in spreading the truth and confronting misinformation.

UNESCO’s Perspective on the Campaign

Paulo Fontani affirmed that this initiative is the result of several months of cooperation and coordination with Minister Marqos and his team. He expressed his satisfaction with the launch of ten new videos designed to raise awareness about the importance of verifying information before dissemination.

Fontani explained that the campaign is based on the principle of shared responsibility under the slogan "Be Part of the Truth, Not of Misinformation." He pointed out that the current information environment is more complex than ever due to the vast amount of content individuals encounter daily across digital platforms, social media, and messaging applications. He noted that misleading or false information can undermine public trust, fuel tensions, and misdirect public opinion, necessitating a collective response that equips citizens with critical evaluation skills to make well-informed decisions.

He added that the campaign aims to establish a culture of verifying information and understanding its sources and accuracy, stressing that sharing information responsibly is not only a digital skill but also a civic duty.

Fontani mentioned that the campaign, inspired by everyday life in Lebanon, demonstrates that misinformation is not confined to the digital realm but can also spread through daily interactions in various settings.

He emphasized that this initiative is part of UNESCO’s broader global commitment to promoting media and information literacy, supporting information integrity, and enabling citizens to access, assess, and share information responsibly.

Fontani also thanked the Ministry of Information, Minister Paul Marqos, Lebanon Television, all participating media institutions and journalists, as well as UNIFIL, underscoring that building a more resilient society requires fostering a culture of critical thinking and responsible communication that enhances trust, truth, and accountability.