The College of Mass Communication at the University of Baghdad hosted a specialized scientific seminar organized by postgraduate students from the Public Relations Department, titled “Do Not Believe Everything Shared on Social Media,” with the participation of a group of academics and experts in security and media affairs.
The seminar featured Mr. Arshad Al-Hakim, official spokesperson of the National Security Agency, who delivered an important presentation on the dangers of misinformation and media warfare targeting public awareness. He stressed the need for digital literacy and verifying news sources before sharing content.
Assistant Professor Dr. Safad Al-Shammari, a faculty member at the College of Mass Communication, also took part, addressing the role of academic institutions in promoting a culture of media verification and building a generation capable of distinguishing between credible news and false content.
Assistant Professor Dr. Ria Qahtan emphasized the importance of integrating fact-checking skills into academic curricula, noting that contemporary media requires new tools to confront the growing flow of unreliable information.
The seminar was moderated by Mr. Haider Nasser Shihab, who led the discussion through an interactive approach that enriched dialogue between the speakers and attendees.
This seminar comes as part of the College of Mass Communication’s efforts to enhance public awareness of the dangers of rumors and misinformation, and to promote responsible media practices in light of accelerating digital challenges.
