News DeskSydney, Australia –In a stirring address to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Sydney, Maldives Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim called on Commonwealth nations to form a united front against the growing threat of fake news, synthetic media, and misinformation. Speaking on “Votes vs Likes: The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Democratic Resilience in an Age of Fake News and Synthetic Media,” Hon. Nazim underscored the profound risks that misinformation poses to democracy.
“Fake news and synthetic media don’t simply mislead; they have the potential to distort entire democratic processes,” he said, citing research that false information spreads six times faster than the truth on social media.
Hon. Nazim called for immediate action to develop a Commonwealth-wide media literacy curriculum tailored to all age groups and adaptable to each country’s cultural context. “Media literacy is no longer an optional skill; it’s essential for informed democratic participation,” he stated.
The Deputy Speaker proposed that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) establish a working group to develop an age-appropriate curriculum, from primary school through higher education, that would include critical skills such as digital verification, synthetic media awareness, and responsible digital citizenship. His call for legislative action included making media literacy mandatory in schools and providing resources for teacher training.
In addition to legislative action, Hon. Nazim advocated using technology to combat misinformation, pointing to blockchain and artificial intelligence as tools for verifying content authenticity.
“We must integrate technological and educational solutions to address this challenge, but technology alone will not save us. Our democratic institutions, strengthened by education, remain our best line of defense,” he added.
Citing the success of a Maldivian public health education initiative, Hon. Nazim proposed a “household information guardian” model where students share media literacy skills within their communities, thereby fostering a grassroots culture of digital awareness.
Hon. Nazim concluded by expressing gratitude for Australia’s sustained support in media and educational development in the Maldives. He praised the strong bond between the two nations, calling it “a model of Commonwealth cooperation” that has empowered generations of Maldivian educators and media professionals.
“We must go beyond passive concern. As parliamentarians, it is our duty to protect democratic integrity and to ensure every citizen can distinguish fact from fiction,” Hon. Nazim said.
The 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, hosted at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, has gathered delegates from 56 nations to discuss strategies to safeguard democracy in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
