The Club de la Presse Méditerranée 06, which comprises 80 journalists, calls for a fight against fake news.
“Death to fools!” wrote Captain Raymond Dronne of the 2nd Armored Division on his Jeep, who was the first to enter Paris on August 24, 1944. Regarding the inscription, General De Gaulle allegedly stated: “A vast program.” These words are made relevant once again by the flood of fake news about the coronavirus.
To curb this “infodemic,” a term from the WHO, “a vast program” means first fighting against the stupidity that triumphs on social networks. This involves unwavering commitment from professional journalists. And from all those who resist conspiracy theories. To halt the surge of false medical news. This is the purpose of Eurecom’s “CoronaCheck” in Sophia Antipolis.
The digital grand école, as revealed by Webtimemedias.com, is a key player in Artificial Intelligence. It has just established the first fact-checking system for statistical statements on the coronavirus.
Professional journalists (not a dirty word!) are striving to adapt to the alarming digital revolution. Since the beginning of the contagion, the traditional press has reacted strongly against medical fake news that can kill, in their own way. Most newsrooms, continuous news channels, the written press, radio stations, France Inter, RTL, Europe 1, are vigorously fighting against “infox.” Conspiracy theories are thriving in France. The problem has exponentially worsened since September 11.
The coronavirus might be an opportunity for professional journalists to seize. To continue a relentless fight against fake news. To become sentinels on the web. To stand out by reinforcing the reliability of information in each newsroom, exercising a right to media vigilance, denouncing all drifts.
Rehabilitate the profession of journalism?
The question now arises acutely whether it’s timely to try to rehabilitate our profession. The task is colossal, but new initiatives are emerging: from meeting the public to projects for social network regulation. Certainly, many media outlets still succumb to the lure of emotional appeals. However, most traditional media have learned from the excesses related to the coverage of the 2015 attacks.
Have the media overdone it on Covid-19? “No!” answered Hervé Béroud on Europe 1. The Deputy General Director of Altice Media, which oversees BFM and RMC group channels, believes that in this time of crisis, journalists have a “public service” mission to continue informing confined French people.
Professional journalists who have suffered from their individualism can draw strength by regrouping to face fake news. The time has come to establish greater solidarity among newsrooms. Unions and Press Clubs have a role to play.
It is imperative to strengthen media education. This involves teaching, starting in school, about the profession of journalism. Our detractors are unaware of what our job entails. Nevertheless, professional journalists must not retreat into corporatism but practice self-criticism.
The success of programs such as “Les auditeurs ont la parole” demonstrates a contradictory feeling of repulsion/fascination towards the media. Proof that the battle to restore public confidence in its perception of information is not lost.
The path is steep but aligns with the perspective of preserving freedom of expression.
Death to fools!
Paul Barelli, President of the Club de la Presse Méditerranée 06
