Widening Lens: A New Narrative for Media Coverage of Cyberspace

Faisal J. Abbas

The analysis highlights concerns regarding the spread of fake news and stresses the importance of cybersecurity in addressing this issue. The argument is made that cybersecurity should go beyond basic hacking and also focus on the dissemination and veracity of information. The impact of fake news on society is discussed, with the ‘Pizza-gate’ incident being cited as an example of the real-world consequences that can arise from the manipulation of information.

The role of social media in propagating fake news is particularly emphasized. It is noted that 80% of Arab youth obtain their information from social media platforms, and a significant number of people are prone to retweet or repost fake news. This has led to a decline in trust in journalists and has made it challenging for individuals to differentiate between genuine and false information.

There is recognition of the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in combating fake news. It is argued that AI can play a crucial role in identifying and combating fake news effectively. The creation of realistic fake videos by AI technology is discussed, highlighting the difficulty that humans face in identifying such content. Therefore, AI is seen as an essential tool in addressing this problem.

The analysis also highlights the dangers associated with the misuse of AI to create compelling fake videos. Reference is made to ongoing wars that have been escalated by misinformation. The instantaneous spread of fake news, especially through videos, is seen as a threat to global security.

Due to the severity of the issue, there is a call for a global initiative to combat fake news. The need for collective action is emphasized, and it is stressed that tech companies should take responsibility for the dissemination of fake news. The analysis suggests engaging in serious discussions with tech companies to regulate the content to which users are exposed.

Furthermore, the importance of education and content monitoring for young technology users is emphasized. It is highlighted that young children, as young as three or four years old, are being given access to iPads without proper content monitoring. The lack of literacy and control over exposure is seen as a significant concern.

In conclusion, the analysis underscores the urgency of addressing the spread and impact of fake news through comprehensive cybersecurity measures. While there is a consensus on the need for action, there are differing views on the responsibility of various stakeholders, including media, tech companies, and individuals. The arguments and evidence presented shed light on the complexities of this issue.

Margery Kraus

Summary:

Margery Kraus, the founder of APCO Worldwide, emphasises the importance of embracing technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber technologies, in order to facilitate progress and transformation within organisations. APCO is actively involved in training initiatives that explore how AI can revolutionise and streamline operations. They are utilising AI to automate routine tasks, thereby allowing individuals to focus on higher-order responsibilities. This approach is seen as essential for driving innovation and improving efficiency. The clients of APCO primarily seek assistance with cybersecurity, as well as guidance on how to deploy cyber technologies in a positive manner to shape the future. Common requests include support in combatting online abuse, developing crisis response plans, and exploring the potential benefits of cyber technologies in long-term planning.

Margery Kraus highlights the need for greater media coverage that showcases the positive uses of cyber technologies for social inclusivity. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Reduced Inequalities and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. There is also an urgent need to teach young people about cyber literacy. Furthermore, the media should focus on instilling a better understanding of how to consume information and highlight the positive uses of cyber platforms. Collaboration across multiple sectors is necessary to address cyber-related challenges. Lastly, it is important to strike a balance between using cyber technologies and understanding the associated risks and fears.

Overall, embracing AI and cyber technologies, promoting positive uses, enhancing media coverage, teaching cyber literacy, promoting digital equality, and encouraging collaboration are all essential in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by cyber technologies.

John Defterios

The debate surrounding the importance of global cybersecurity coverage in journalism has brought forth various viewpoints. Some individuals argue that there is a lack of sufficient coverage in this area, while others believe that it should be prioritised.

Those who support the notion claim that global cybersecurity is under-covered in journalism. They argue that cyber threats, such as data breaches and threats to infrastructure, require more informed and comprehensive reporting. Currently, these topics often receive only a brief mention in the media before being forgotten. The lack of in-depth reporting on global cybersecurity, which is considered less exciting but highly significant, is a cause for concern.

On the other hand, critics argue that the media tends to focus excessively on major tech companies, such as Facebook, Google, and Apple. These companies attract a significant amount of traffic, resulting in over-coverage of their activities. As a result, important issues like cybersecurity are overshadowed and receive inadequate attention.

To effectively cover cyber threats, it is suggested that dedicated resources and specialised experts be employed. Currently, the knee-jerk reaction is to call upon national security or IT personnel in the event of a cybersecurity issue. However, it is believed that communities should establish a pool of cybersecurity experts who can be consulted in such situations. This approach would ensure a more informed and efficient response to cyber threats.

The role of algorithms in shaping media consumption patterns and opinions is also scrutinised. Critics argue that algorithms tend to divide individuals into polarised groups, limiting the representation of diverse perspectives. This polarisation not only affects the way we consume media but also damages our attention spans.

Inclusivity and global collaboration are emphasised as essential components in effectively addressing cybersecurity challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the exclusion of the global south until much later in decision-making processes. Thus, inclusivity across the board is considered crucial in tackling global issues like cybersecurity. It is also noted that collaboration on cybersecurity already exists on a regional scale in areas such as Asia, the GCC, and the Americas, and it can be extended globally.

The importance of an impartial centre for cybersecurity is also stressed. Given that the US and China are major competitors in technology and data, there is a need for a neutral entity to broker cybersecurity agreements. The Kingdom is suggested as a potential unifying force in this regard, playing a role in creating a safe space to address cybersecurity concerns.

In conclusion, while the coverage of global cybersecurity in journalism is a matter of debate, there is a consensus that more in-depth reporting and attention should be directed towards this critical issue. It is imperative to allocate dedicated resources, consult specialised experts, address the influence of algorithms, promote inclusivity and global collaboration, and establish an impartial centre for cybersecurity. By taking these steps, the media can more effectively inform society about the challenges and risks posed by cyber threats.

Massimo Marioni

The analysis highlights several important aspects of cybersecurity reporting and media practices. One key point is the critical role of fact-checking and verification in cybersecurity reporting. This is because false information can spread rapidly and cause significant harm in the realm of cybersecurity. It is crucial for journalists and media professionals to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their reporting when it comes to cybersecurity matters. By diligently fact-checking and verifying information, media outlets can provide the public with trustworthy and credible news.

Another important aspect is the involvement of experts in cybersecurity reporting. By including experts in coverage and reporting, media outlets can tap into their knowledge and experience to provide informed and authoritative perspectives. This adds credibility to the reporting and helps the audience better understand the complexities of cybersecurity issues.

Furthermore, the analysis emphasizes the significance of education and digital literacy in cybersecurity. Many individuals are not sufficiently aware of cybersecurity threats and best practices, making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. By promoting education and increasing digital literacy, people can become savvier in protecting themselves online. This can be achieved through initiatives that focus on educating the public about cybersecurity risks, providing guidance on best practices, and enhancing digital literacy skills.

The analysis also highlights the need to avoid sensationalism in media reporting. Media outlets have the power to shape public opinion and perception of cybersecurity risks. By hyping up certain aspects unnecessarily, they can spread fear and uncertainty. It is crucial for media professionals to maintain balance in their reporting, focusing not only on problems but also on solutions and progress in the cybersecurity field. This helps provide a comprehensive and accurate understanding of cybersecurity issues.

Additionally, the analysis notes that imparting digital literacy requires collaboration between governments, media, and tech companies. This joint effort ensures that the audience receives the necessary resources and support for developing digital literacy skills. It is important for these stakeholders to work together in designing educational programs, creating digital content, and fostering partnerships to effectively address the digital literacy needs of the audience.

In conclusion, the analysis highlights the importance of fact-checking, the involvement of experts, education, and balanced reporting in cybersecurity journalism. It underscores the need to avoid sensationalism and promote digital literacy. It also emphasizes the significance of collaboration between governments, media, and tech companies in effectively imparting digital literacy skills to the audience. By embracing these practices, media outlets can contribute to a more informed and secure society in the face of cybersecurity challenges.

Intro

The Cybersecurity Market Ecosystem Development event convened prominent figures from various countries in the field of cybersecurity. Engineer Waleed Abu Khalid, CEO of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), stressed the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive the growth of the cyber industry. He underscored the importance of nurturing local talent and establishing robust educational programs to meet the demand for skilled cyber professionals.

Dr. Miqat Zuhairi Bin Miqat, Chief Executive of Malaysia’s National Cybersecurity Agency, highlighted the significance of proactive measures in addressing cyber threats. He emphasized the development of a strong cybersecurity ecosystem, including effective legislation and regulations, as well as investments in research and development.

Felix Barrio Juarez, Director General of the Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute, discussed the role of government in promoting cybersecurity innovation. He emphasized the need for public-private partnerships in sharing threat intelligence and promoting best practices.

Engineer Abdurrahman Al Malki from Qatar’s National Cybersecurity Agency stressed the importance of tailored cybersecurity solutions that meet each country’s specific needs. He urged governments and organizations to remain vigilant and adapt to rapidly evolving threats.

The panel’s moderator, John Defterios, provided an international perspective to the discussion, drawing on his experience as a former CNN editor and editor for emerging markets. He emphasized the global nature of cyber threats and the need for coordinated efforts to tackle them.

The event’s panelists agreed that ecosystem development plays a pivotal role in stimulating the cybersecurity market. They highlighted the need for international collaboration, information-sharing, and investment in research and development to stay ahead of cyber threats.

Additional contributions from Massimo Marioni, Europe Editor at Fortune, Rebecca McLaughlin, an international TV anchor and media trainer, Marjorie Cross, founder of APCO Worldwide, and Faisal Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, provided valuable insights into various aspects of the cybersecurity landscape.

Overall, the event demonstrated the importance of collaboration and proactive measures in addressing cybersecurity challenges. The diverse perspectives of industry leaders underscored the need for continuous innovation and adaptation to effectively counter cyber threats in an increasingly interconnected world.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham, an expert in drone technology, skillfully and successfully landed a drone, ensuring its safe return. She emphasizes the importance of handling technological devices with great care and caution, given their significant costs and potential risks. It is clear that the drone, being an expensive piece of equipment, requires a gentle and controlled landing procedure in order to prevent any damage.

The focus on careful handling of technological devices arises from the understanding of the potential dangers they can pose. By safely landing the drone, McLaughlin-Eastham demonstrates the necessary skill and precision required when working with advanced technology. Her achievement reminds others in the industry of the need for responsible and meticulous handling of expensive equipment.

The supporting facts further emphasize the importance of a safe landing for the drone. McLaughlin-Eastham’s affirmation that the device must land safely underscores the crucial role careful handling plays in preventing any potential damage or loss. Additionally, the mention of the drone’s expensive nature highlights the significance of gentle landing to avoid costly repairs or replacements.

In conclusion, Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham’s successful landing of the drone not only showcases her expertise but also underscores the vital need for careful handling in the field of technology. Consideration of the high costs and potential dangers associated with these devices is paramount to ensuring their longevity and effective use. Her accomplishment serves as a valuable lesson for professionals and enthusiasts alike, reminding them to approach technological equipment with caution and responsibility.

Intro:
Catalyzing Cyber, Stimulating Cybersecurity Market Through Ecosystem Development Engineer Waleed Abu Khalid Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Arabian Military Industries, SAMI Dr. Miqat Zuhairi Bin Miqat Chief Executive, National Cybersecurity Agency, Malaysia Felix Barrio Juarez Director General, Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute His Excellency Engineer Abdurrahman Al Malki National Cybersecurity Agency, Qatar John Defterios, Moderator, Former CNN, Emerging Markets, Editor and Editor Massimo Marioni, Europe Editor, Fortune Rebecca McLaughlin, East Ham, Moderator, International TV Anchor, MC and Media Trainer Marjorie Cross, Founder and Executive Chairman, APCO Worldwide Faisal Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Good afternoon everybody It’s wonderful to be here, see a packed room and we have a fantastic conversation coming up You’ve just heard my guests being introduced I have luminaries from the world of media, strategic communications and of course journalism on stage with me and we are going to have a deep dive into how cyber security is being covered in the media Is the narrative correct? Is it balanced? Is it informative? Is it constructive? Is it responsible? It’s our duty to inform and to engage but we also don’t want to spook, we don’t want to deter So how do we strike that right balance? Well here with all of the answers I’m delighted to say are my esteemed guests So let’s start with the bigger picture Faisal let me come to you first from Arab News How has the narrative traditionally been when it comes to covering global cyber security?

Faisal J. Abbas:
Thank you Rebecca and thank you for that very important introduction It is actually very telling that we are here discussing this particular topic at a global cyber security forum I say that because people occasionally or more than occasionally most likely relate cyber security to things like phone hacking, going into your bank account etc But the reality is cyber security should and must encompass much more than that We are living in an era which we have as a humanity We have not experienced this before where every person on the planet provided they have wifi or internet connection can disseminate and receive information at the same time What has happened with the advancement of technology particularly with what we are seeing with AI Is not only are you allowed now or capable of disseminating and receiving information You are also capable of faking realities and faking news And if you think this is not related to cyber security then you are wrong Because just look at some of the world events that have happened as a direct result of fake news spreading I can name so many incidents, I don’t want to get very political so I am going to name a non-political one Which is what we all know as the pizza gate in 2016 in the United States Where somebody posted fake news that there is a child exploitation ring being used Children being exploited in a pizzeria And somebody ended up taking a gun and shooting everybody and it was a completely fake news story I am going to end with three figures on why cyber security should include media And to make it easier for everybody to remember, just remember 80, 70, 60 According to the Arab youth survey, 80% of Arab youth get their information from social media According to a recent study by MIT, 70% of people are more likely to retweet or repost fake news 60% according to the Edelman trust barometer now no longer trust journalists and believe they are misleading The conclusion is we are heading in a direction where we will no longer be able to tell what is true from what is fake And this I believe is at the heart of what cyber security should be

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
100% trust is integral to that and to our discussion today Marjorie let me come to you, talk to me from both sides At APCO what are you doing when it comes to using systems for generative AI and the like And also what are your clients asking you for help on and what are you telling them? Three pronged question from a journalist there

Margery Kraus:
I think for us, I’m a big believer even though we have about five generations in APCO and I’m at the upper end of that I’ve never ran away from technology I think technology is really important and as we get into cyber it’s even more important Because this is not something we’re going to stop So this is something we have to embrace And I think this is something actually that the media needs to educate us more about In terms of how we embrace in a positive way, how we use cyber for good, how it becomes inclusive And so within APCO what we’re doing is a lot of training and how AI can help transform our organization And how we can then use this so that some of the routine tasks that a company like ours would do Whether it’s monitoring another thing that you can train AI to do And then other things that then you can use your people for higher order things And you’re taking a lot of the routine out of the work and making it more interesting And if we can do that transformation I think that’s a really important way to use this So our clients are coming to us for two things One is the more traditional things of cyber security And the fact that as you read in the media that there’s a lot of abuse that goes on online And how do they protect for it, how do they plan for it, how do they organize their crisis response Things of that sort But the other side is hoping that will be an example is coming to us for how can they deploy cyber In the most positive way in terms of what they’re doing for the future So I think both of those are things that we end up doing

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Thank you John, nice to see you again You’ve covered breaches, you’ve covered GCF for many years Talk to me about how you see it from a journalist point of view How are we covering global cyber security? Accurately, adequately, and what is the impact on consumers?

John Defterios:
Yeah, you put a lot in there and you’re correct to do so, Rebecca So thanks very much Rebecca and I had a chance to tackle this subject in a podcast two months ago Which you can find on the GCF website And I think it’s a similar approach to this I think it’s undercover and we can talk later in the panel about from the broadcast journalism side Which I did for better than 30 years And the challenges there But at the FII last week, I thought it was very interesting They pulled the people that were attending FII And they said, what are the most pressing issues of today’s time? It varied between the youth at the end and those kind of in the C-suite And the ministers at the start of the FII But the common ground was the cost of living You know, quality of life, conflict, and climate change, right? They listed those as the four major issues And I have a very strong belief that cyber space and cyber security should be at least in the top five Because of all those things I talked about there You get information and make educated decisions based on what you’re reading But you have to have a common trust And in the previous panel, when we said deciphering or catalyzing cyber We got into this idea that right now the consumer is pretty unaware What the challenges are in the near future where AI, generative AI meets cyber So I think as a duty from the journalistic community I don’t think anybody in this panel would disagree with me We have a duty to inform society of what’s ahead We were even talking about in that panel what sort of certifications If you have a driver’s license, for example, to drive a car What sort of certificate do you have to surf the world? Because it’s going to be a much more complex world in which to navigate So we have a challenge now because of not AI But algorithms that we have people in different echo chambers Not believing what is real news versus fake news, right? And that’s a big challenge today But I think, and this is a personal viewpoint That cyber security should be in the top three subjects of our time Because it’s moving quickly So right now we’re lucky that governments like Saudi Arabia And others that we’ve talked to that are participating in the GCF Take the challenge very seriously We rely on the private sector to continue to innovate and invest And take care of society But it’s going to be much more challenging in the future The numbers indicate it So we’re looking at least $2 trillion of lost commerce in the last year It’s growing by 35% to 40% a year That should get everybody’s attention But I think when consumers cannot trust what they have on technology platforms Whether it’s their banking app or a B2B system Or an e-commerce site like an Amazon Because you’re worried about a transaction It’s when we have as a responsibility as journalists and media Strategic communications group to educate society So I think we should start there The GCF and the Institute is a great place to start that journey But I think we need to go into the next layer here Where consumers have a greater awareness And how do we tell those stories so they understand it

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Massimo, how do we tell these stories? We have a responsibility We need to heighten awareness We need to inform How do we best do that in a balanced way?

Massimo Marioni:
Yeah, that’s a good question So I think there’s probably six things which help us do that One of those things is fairly basic And that’s to fact-check and verify It sounds obvious and it’s very core to all journalism But especially with cybersecurity I think it’s even more important Number two is to get experts involved As many experts as we can Have that expert opinion across all coverage of cyberspace and cybersecurity Trying to educate, which John touched on Trying to educate a community who isn’t perhaps as… Well, I don’t think many people are as savvy as they need to be In the cybersecurity game and consuming that news So I think the more education and digital literacy that we can give people The better they will be Constantly reminding people of best practices Whether that’s with passwords or whether that’s with banking My mother is 80 years old And she’s quite savvy with digital and things like that But she still sometimes contacts me whenever something comes through She gets an email and she’s not sure about it Sometimes it’s from me And she’s asking, did you really send me this? I was like, yes, yes I don’t need any money, but… And avoiding sensationalism, I think, is also quite crucial There’s a temptation within all of media To hype up either the really bad or the really good And I think that can spread fear and uncertainty across audiences When perhaps there isn’t that immediate need to do that And lastly, balance, I think Reporting on the solutions and progress of cybersecurity or AI or whatever it is Is just as important as reporting on the problems So those six aspects, I think, are ways that media can really help Bring that knowledge and literacy to the audience

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Talk to me just before we go any further About the expertise that you do have in-house Arguably every newsroom around the world will have national security experts IT reporters, tech reporters But what about AI, Massimo? Do you have people dedicated to that?

Massimo Marioni:
Yeah, so we’ve got a reporter called Jeremy Khan And he’s been an AI expert for many years So we’re very lucky to have him And he’s covered AI in various forms for a long time And people sort of think that it’s just popped up in the last few months AI has been a thing for a very long time And Jeremy’s been an expert for a very long time So at Fortune, we’re very lucky to have someone with deep, deep understanding And deep knowledge of AI But obviously, that is in an area which every newsroom has devoted time and resource to So that’s very important, I think, for newsrooms across the world To invest those resources into experts like Jeremy Don’t leave, Jeremy, if you’re listening to this Into experts who can really deliver value for their audience For this super, super important topic

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Thank you. John, I’ll come back to you in just a second Faisal, take me inside your newsroom Who is dedicated to that beat? Cyber security in particular

Faisal J. Abbas:
Here’s where I disagree I don’t think it’s the job of one person It’s the job for the whole newsroom, collectively Look, let me talk about a much bigger example A huge organization such as the BBC They have a whole initiative called BBC Verify Which, all it does, that team, all it does All they do is go on the internet, look for fake news and identify it Great, great initiative But let’s be realistic here This is a drop in the ocean That is not going to be enough There is, in fact, no newsroom in the world No matter how much resources they have That are capable of standing up to this thing My point of view is as follows What AI breaks, only AI can fix And as we are at a global cyber security forum There needs to be global action towards this I’m not here to do fear mongering But this is a reality We’ve seen, we are currently living a war in this region We’ve seen how quickly fake news spreads And this is now just words And this is with AI still tiptoeing Imagine the same war in five years’ time When you can instantly create fake news videos About babies being decapitated or soldiers being killed, etc This is the stuff that starts wars And there is no human capability to be able to identify Because these videos, in terms of sound, in terms of video In terms of the surrounding Are so real that you cannot tell what’s fake from what’s new So the only solution is a global initiative To have AI filters that can identify immediately What is real, genuine footage Which is then our job as news reporters But immediately label things that are manufactured by AI As manufactured by AI

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
John, do you want to come in on this?

John Defterios:
Sure, I’ll take it from the prism of broadcasting And I think it’s a tall order And Massimo touched on this and so did Faisal It’s a tall order to say that somebody that covers national security Should also cover cyber security It’s also a very tall order, a big ask, if you will For somebody who covers IT And I think there’s a tendency within the television community Which I spent my career in To stray away from the fangs Or the biggest technology companies of the world So we know Jeff Bezos We know Meta, Facebook, Google, Apple Twitter, now X And the tendency is to gravitate to those big companies And those personalities Because they get a lot of traffic But again, this is where responsibility comes in, right? So that gets a lot of traffic There’s a tendency to cover those companies way too much Or the latest gadgets that are out there Because consumers interface with those gadgets And they’re so pervasive in our lives But there’s a big gap in the middle To have an expertise And I’m suggesting if the private sector And the governments are paying so much attention To cyber and cyber threats And the future of cyberspace And making it a safe place for people to operate We should be dedicating resources Trained resources to be able to cover it Now the second layer of what I’d like to talk about Is how do you tell this story in television? And Rebecca, you have that experience as well There are no visuals So, you say you had a hack on the air traffic landing system in Heathrow, it’s not fair to be using file video of the Heathrow airport and say they had a big, you know, technology breach today because that lasts for about 30 seconds. We had a case in the last year where South Asian Bank was hit for $200 million, which is extraordinary. It’s an extraordinary event or 80% of the airports and 65% of the power systems in the world are being hacked on a daily basis, but you can’t go in and show it physically as a television correspondent. So I think we should, A, be a lot more clever about how we tell the stories, and this is where data visualization would come into play. It works for Faisal at Arab News, it works for Masouma at Fortune. You use data to tell your story and to educate people at the same time, but I think we’re making a profound mistake in our profession to say that the same person that covers national security and the same person that covers IT, oh, try to give this a whack and cover cyber. I think it’s a profound mistake, and we should take it more seriously as a topic is what I’m saying. I mean, I’m talking to the converted there because you educated me for our broadcast, but the reality is we need to be taking it at a much more higher level of attentiveness. Final point that Masouma brought up in his opening remarks, there’s a pool of experts, but I think we often call as a knee-jerk reaction an IT specialist or an ICT specialist to talk about cyber, or we call a national security person to talk about cyber. Let’s as a community build experts that we share the resources and say, if I’m in America, these are the top 25 people. If I’m in the European Union or in the UK, these are the people that really know cyber. If I’m in the Middle East and North Africa, if I’m in Asia, and we should, I think as a GCF, I would even extend, let’s help that process to say these are the top 50 cyber security specialists in the world. So if there’s a story to be told, let’s respond that way.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Absolutely. Marjorie, please.

Margery Kraus:
So I want to come at this just a little different and follow on something Masouma said as well, and take it more from the other end of the telescope. Because I think that one of the things, you talked about media literacy, and there was a whole time when we were teaching younger people how to discern news, how to check their sources, how to look for various things. And we need to do that. We need to create cyber literacy on the part of young people. How do they know what sources? You said 80% get their information from cyber, from these platforms. Think of how terrifying that is, given fake news. So what skill sets, and what can we bring, and how do we demonstrate this through the media to have more educated consumers, especially young people? So they know where to find the news, or where to find information. They know how to verify it as much as they can. They know if they’re being bullied, where to go for help. They know, you know, there’s certain basic skills. And as this cyber world kind of envelopes all of us, we need to give young people the skills, and older adults. So that when they, you know, it’s great that your mother called you to, if she should open the email. I wonder how many other people would call if they’re getting an email like that. They would open it, and they would be subject to all kinds of scams. So I think that’s one of the things the media could do, is to help us all understand better how to consume what it is that we’re getting. I think one other thing that the media could do is also focus on some of the positive uses of cyber, and the way in which we are using it to become more, to have more equity in society, or to give people access to education, and things of that sort. And it tends to be that, you know, like good news doesn’t get covered, as well as difficult things.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
That’s interesting. Thank you, Marjorie. Well, Faisal, let me pick up on that with you, in terms of the positive aspects, the good news stories, rather than the scary headlines, let’s say. The media arguably has a responsibility, of course, to be balanced, but is one overshadowing the other? The urgent is crowding out the other important stories that should be told, but aren’t as much.

Faisal J. Abbas:
Well, look, Journalism 101, right? So if a dog bites a man, that’s not a story. If a man bites a dog, that’s a story. That’s always been the case, and that’s always been human. People don’t want to know what they already know. But here’s where I disagree with my honorable colleagues. It’s not the media to blame for reporting negative stories. That’s your job. Your job is to alert people to important things. But let me take you to the beginning of last year, when the Facebook whistleblower Frances Hogan spoke at Congress. And this is not from me. Take it from the horse’s mouth. This is what she said. She said, at some point at Facebook, we realized that the emotion that triggers the most traffic, the most engagement, the most reaction, is anger. So I’m not saying Facebook or Meta or Twitter are evil. I am saying, given that it is in their interest, this is … means more users on their website, on their pages, means more advertising revenue. There is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed here with that business model. And again, I’m not pointing fingers, and I’m not accusing them of being deliberately behind this. But we need to remember one important aspect. These companies were not built by journalists, like newspapers or broadcasters. These companies were built by teenagers who were coders and engineers, who probably didn’t understand or appreciate the impact of what they are doing. And the result is what we are having to deal with today. And I reiterate, this is very important, because the next war, this war might be contained, the next one might not be containable because of fake news.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Massimo, coming to you at the end. Is the end nigh? Give me an optimistic outlook, or even a bleak one. Do you agree with Faisal or disagree?

Massimo Marioni:
Yes, to an extent. Meta did discover that, and they fueled a lot of the problems that we’re facing today. But I think every news organization, to an extent, also can identify with the similar sort of sentiments and findings that Meta found, that anger and shock drives more interaction than, say, good news stories, or happy stories, or stories of progress and solutions. So I think there is a responsibility there in the media to not just chase that engagement, but to also try to break down the complexities that your average reader may switch off when they’re reading, because ultimately, the cyberspace world and cybersecurity, they’re complex things, and readers don’t tend to read too deeply into things that they don’t understand unless they’re super, super engaged. So the media’s job is, one, to break down that complexity, to avoid sensationalism where they can. Obviously, as Faisal mentioned, it’s our job to report newsworthy events, events which people find interesting, events which are important for the reader’s everyday lives. And usually, that’s on the spectrum of really good and really bad. And the stuff in the middle doesn’t really generate the interest or engagement that perhaps it needs to. And because all media companies are trying to make money as well and keep themselves afloat, it’s a very challenging time for media. The temptation is to veer into that one side of the spectrum.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
So I think somebody at Facebook doesn’t like what I said. Somebody is watching. Yes. They sent a drone. Wow. They sent a drone for revenge. Is Facebook coming for us? I mean… It’s so quiet. I hardly noticed it was there. Please, Massimo, continue if you can.

Massimo Marioni:
I don’t know what I was saying anymore. That’s amazing.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
He must have said something very inflammatory. I’m sorry. Can you hear us in the audience?

Massimo Marioni:
Can someone shoot it down?

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Stay with us.

Faisal J. Abbas:
Can we get the drone to land?

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
I think so. There we go. Safe landing. Just like in TV. Expensive piece of kit. So you have to make sure it lands gently.

Faisal J. Abbas:
A real-life example of how technology can disturb reality.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Oh, yes. And you’re always being watched. Yes.

John Defterios:
For ten seconds there, I was a little bit worried that it actually might have been an armed drone. But thank God it wasn’t.

Massimo Marioni:
I must have upset Facebook or something.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Sorry, Massimo, please finish your sentiment.

Massimo Marioni:
I think that was it.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:

John Defterios:
No, the only thing I would add to this is that, and Faisal alluded to it, we’ve taken algorithms for granted, and I think it’s actually caused a lot of damage in terms of our attention spans. So it was into the market to help us. So if you were searching a story and you said you want to get more of this story, or if you’re looking for a restaurant, it offers you alternatives. That’s the good side of it. But it does divide us into the group that could be far left in its politics, far right in its politics, and there’s very little voice given to the center, which I think is part of the problem. And the reason I bring that up, a lot of people may not be interested in global cybersecurity and a safe cyberspace, but they should know. It’s not the sexiest story in town. It probably won’t get you to click, but we could be much more creative in the way we tell those stories. In a 24-hour news cycle, Rebecca knows this, if there’s a major breach, and it was news, as Faisal was suggesting, you do need to cover it. So if there’s a major breach in the world, our role was to inform, because it was a who’s what, where, when, and why. It was big enough. It affected enough people. It threatened our water supply. Our power system went down, right? Could have been contamination in your local drinking waters. That’s just examples of what we’ve seen. A major data breach where people’s private data were breached and went into public. We need to inform it, but we need a much deeper knowledge of the sector to be able to inform people correctly, is my view on this. We should go deep, not quick. And usually, if you’re in a 24-hour news cycle, we’d have a conference call, what are the major stories? Oh, I saw there was a breach on the water system in Australia. It almost killed 50,000 people, but they were able to detect it, but let’s give it 30 seconds, and then it’s gone. It was a Northern Ireland police breach of data, which was a huge story in the UK, but they didn’t have the visuals to tell it, so it lasted for a 24-hour news cycle. But it was the data that goes back 20 years, and it risked lives of those police officers and detectives. So it shows the vulnerabilities of the systems. I don’t think we should be so flippant in our coverage going forward, is my premise here.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Thank you. Marjorie, and I’ll ask all of my esteemed panelists the same question as we conclude. In terms of the theme of GCF 2023, our shared priorities in cyberspace, when it comes to advocacy, strategic communications, what is the most important shared priority that we should all have? Marjorie, what would you say?

Margery Kraus:
I think the shared priority is to try to bring multi-sectors, the way we’re doing it here at GCF, together to come up with belts and suspenders frameworks for solutions of how we can deploy the benefits of cyber with the right frameworks so that the abuses are limited. There are always going to be abuses, and we have to try to keep one step. But if we don’t do what Faisal was saying about engaging with the corporate side, and if we don’t improve the coverage of how we expand the knowledge about cyber, we’re going to end up in a place where this gets so far ahead of us. People are already afraid, and if we feed into that fear, we will never take the full advantage of what cyber has to offer us. So getting this right is really important.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Thank you. Faisal, getting this right is very important. When will we get there?

Faisal J. Abbas:
Well, we need to start with education, education, education. It is mind-boggling. It is unthinkable that we give iPads to three-year-olds and four-year-olds, and we don’t monitor the content that they are watching. To use the metaphor that John used, this is the equivalent of giving a four-year-old keys to a car without a driving license and without brakes. And then we complain when the car jumps off a cliff. There needs to be literacy from a very young age. There needs to be a serious conversation with tech companies to what are we being exposed to, and there needs to be a global initiative to immediately identify what is genuine and what is manufactured by AI, because as I said in my opening remarks, the line is going to become very, very blurry in the very near future.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
John, a global initiative much needed.

John Defterios:
Okay, number one, I think, and we’ve addressed this at different sessions, I think it’s extremely important from a policy perspective, and this even trickles into the media, that we are inclusive across the board. So I would say inclusive for the global south. So we can use two examples of the COVID-19 pandemic when there was hoarding taking place and it was every government for themselves until about nine months into it, and then the global south became part of the equation. So it’s very important because cyber has no boundaries. We’ve talked about it. It does cross borders. What happens in the global south, what would happen in Africa would also make the GCC quite vulnerable because they have great connectivity. So we should be aware of that. When it comes to climate, it’s very difficult to try to build a consensus of 190 plus countries but when it comes to cyber, and we’ve heard the collaboration on previous panels, we see collaboration on a regional basis in Asia. We see it in the GCC, and it was articulated, it should extend to the Middle East and North Africa. We see it in the Americas collaboration. How do we make that global collaboration to have this sharing of best practices, the data is where it’s comfortable to protect your sovereignty. And then I think the third leg of this, and this is why I’m very proud to be involved with the Global Cyber Security Forum, we have two elephants in the room. It’s US and China. They compete fiercely when it comes to technology and they’re competing fiercely when it comes to data. We need a center for cyber security that is an equal broker that can go east and it can go west. It tilts north and it tilts south. It can be a unifier. So I think there’s an opportunity in the cyberspace. I think there’s an opportunity when it comes to the regional conflict where the kingdom can serve a role to be a unifier, to find solutions, to allow a safe space to deal with cyber security. And I think that’s our shared responsibility at GCF 2023.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Thank you very much. Massimo, the final word to you. Our shared responsibility and key priorities for GCF and going forward into 2024.

Massimo Marioni:
Yeah, I think, as I said before, I think imparting digital literacy on the audience is probably the key thing because, and that’s a difficult task because you can take a horse to water but you can’t make a drink. So as much as we try to educate and inform and bring the most important news to the audience, it’s difficult to make them consume something that they perhaps don’t understand or don’t have an interest in. So that’s, I think, the key challenge which is not just on one organization to overcome. It’s got to be a combined effort from governments, from media, from tech companies, a very collaborative effort to bring this very important attention or very important topic to the audience and make them interested in what needs to be known.

Rebecca McLaughlin-Eastham:
Thank you very much. And on that collaborative note, that optimistic note, we shall have to wrap up proceedings. But those are your GCF headlines, ladies and gentlemen. For this panel discussion, please join me in thanking my esteemed guests for their contribution to our forum today.