Media Practitioners Seek Stronger AI Ethics, Fact-checking Collaboration

From Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid

KAZAN (Russia), May 14 (Bernama) — Media practitioners has expressed the need for ethical and human-centric use of artificial intelligence (AI) to safeguard cultural heritage, media integrity and public trust amid rapid digital transformation, during the “Heritage Code: The Digital Evolution of Meanings” media forum.

The forum, organised by the Strategic Vision Group “Russia–Islamic World” and the Republican Agency for Press and Mass Communications (Tatmedia), brought together more than 50 media representatives from 21 countries to discuss AI’s growing influence on journalism, digital communication and information systems.  

Deputy chairman of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia–Islamic World” and aide to the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Marat Gatin, said the discussion focused on innovation and transformation in the information sphere through the use of AI.

He said technological development had provided a strong foundation for the growth of global media, with many countries now developing high-tech information systems to strengthen cooperation with the rest of the world and Russia.

“At the same time, it is important for us to take into account our cultural heritage. We welcome all constructive proposals in this direction and declare that the Strategic Vision Group ‘Russia–Islamic World’ is ready to continue acting as a platform for future cooperation projects,” he said.

Meanwhile, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Information Department head Tarek Lajal said the media industry was facing mounting challenges from deepfakes, digital disinformation and algorithmic bias, which could distort cultural narratives and weaken the integrity of historical records.

He also raised concerns over data sovereignty, noting that much of the world’s digitised heritage and journalistic content were stored on foreign-controlled digital platforms.

“To preserve the meaning and authenticity of heritage in the digital era, AI systems must be trained using local cultural and linguistic contexts,” he said, while calling for stronger collaboration among media organisations across OIC member countries.

Lajal said the OIC was planning to establish an “OIC Fact-Check Network” focusing on cultural and religious disinformation, while emphasising that AI should enhance, rather than replace, the human role in storytelling and journalism.

Concurrently, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) deputy executive editor of economic service Nor Baizura Basri shared Malaysia’s experience in adopting AI within the newsroom, describing technological advancement as a major shift in journalism practices over the past two decades.

She said AI had helped journalists process large and complex data more efficiently, particularly in business reporting, but cautioned against excessive reliance on AI-generated content that could affect critical thinking and editorial responsibility.

“AI should enhance journalists’ capabilities, not replace their role. Journalism will lose its soul and responsibility if media practitioners become too dependent on AI,” she said.

Nor Baizura highlighted Bernama’s MyCheck Malaysia initiative, which has developed an AI-powered verification and fact-checking platform capable of detecting misinformation, hate speech, virality patterns and deepfake content in real time.

She also proposed the establishment of a general AI ethics framework for newsrooms, AI-focused fellowship programmes between Islamic countries and Russia, as well as dedicated funding to support AI innovation and training in the media industry.

The media forum was held in conjunction with the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum 2026”.

— BERNAMA