The Lebanese Ministry of Information is making efforts to find ways to curb the spread of conflict-related misinformation and disinformation as Israeli airstrikes continue, including by establishing a crisis center for the media, according to Minister of Information Ziad Makary.
Makary said the ministry is working seriously to address such misinformation, which is "dangerous" and "spreading in a very fast way everywhere."
He said it is impossible to monitor all information sources, and the ministry would work with the country's security and judiciary authorities to make a plan to cope with the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
"We cannot monitor everybody and we cannot control everybody. We are trying to do our best. As a ministry of information we have some authority we never used in the past because we have the freedom of speech in Lebanon that we are committed to protect. But now we are in a war. And this freedom of speech sometimes goes in dangerous ways. For example, last week they said that the Israeli ambassador in Cyprus was kidnapped. It was fake. It's a dangerous issue. We are seeing info such as Lebanese Red Cross is smuggling arms for Hezbollah in ambulances. So this might put in danger the Lebanese Red Cross. So there is a lot of work also on the security institutions in Lebanon with the judiciary institutions as well. So we will meet with them this week and we will try to make a plan, or I'm thinking also to create a crisis center for journalists and to fix all these problems,” he said.
The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified when Israel-Hamas conflict broke out in October last year, and has heightened further since the wave of deadly pager and walkie-talkie explosions in Lebanon this September.
The death toll in Lebanon from the ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 2,083 since last October, with 9,869 others injured, according to a statement released Monday by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.
Lebanon tries to find ways to curb misinformation, disinformation in face of Israeli airstrikes
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
