Read first, then react: Academic expert on combating disinformation

Doha, Qatar: In times of geopolitical crisis, information spreads at unprecedented speed, and the risk of disinformation taking hold has never been gr...

Doha, Qatar: In times of geopolitical crisis, information spreads at unprecedented speed, and the risk of disinformation taking hold has never been greater. According to Associate Professor of Media Analytics at Northwestern University in Qatar, Dr. Marc Owen Jones the problem is not just technological but it is deeply human. 

“Disinformation spreads because people share information faster than it can be verified,” he told The Peninsula. “Interrupting that cycle does not require technical expertise. It simply requires a moment of caution.” 

Jones emphasised that individuals have more control than they may realise. “Ask where the information comes from. Ask whether it has been confirmed elsewhere. Ask whether it is designed to provoke a strong emotional reaction,” he said. “In an age where information can travel across the world in seconds, a little skepticism goes a long way.”

He added that responsible behaviour online can be simple but powerful. “Sometimes the most responsible thing you can do in a crisis is also the simplest. Read first. Then react.”

The rise of artificial intelligence has made the situation more complex, with deepfakes and manipulated media increasingly circulating during conflicts. At the same time, the speed of information flow means false claims can spread widely before they are verified. According to Jones noted that research shows falsehoods often travel faster than accurate information, especially when they are surprising or emotionally charged.