Lukashenko: Fake news should be challenged by outreach campaigns

Fake news and disinformation should be countered by outreach campaigns, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting with members of the National Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions on 13 February, BelTA has learned.

“The internet [the challenges it creates] is just the thin end of the wedge. How are we going to deal with artificial intelligence tomorrow?” the Belarusian leader asked.

Rector of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno Irina Kiturko spoke on the role of higher learning institutions in shaping the worldview of individuals and citizens. She also spoke about the importance of dialogue platforms and outreach work with young people.

“It is great that you have mentioned dialogue platforms. Direct communication. We need to reach out to people. We have a manageable country, we can reach everyone. We can come and refute what they see [in their smartphones],” the head of state noted. “The fight is transcending into this field. Politics and finances are there. Everything will be there. Both elections and non-elections. Thus, we need to get ready to work in this field,” he remarked.

“Therefore, we need to get young people involved in this work. Talk to people directly in order to get your message through and they will believe you. We cannot get rid of this [modern technologies and the internet]. After all, the internet is also about many good things. It is of huge help. But we must be able to communicate, first of all, with young people - those who do not know life yet. There is no escaping it,” the president added. 

Written by belta.by