How to Read the News, Deconstruct Media Messages, and Detect Bias and Misinformation

Cairo: Foresightnet

Dr. Theeb Al-Qaraleh, former Director General of the Jordan Media Commission, delivered a lecture titled “Political Analysis: How to Read the News, Deconstruct Media Messages, and Detect Bias and Misinformation.” The event was organized by the Afro-Asian Union of Journalists in Cairo.

During the lecture, Dr. Al-Qaraleh highlighted the importance of distinguishing between news, interpretation, and prediction, stressing the need to read news within its broader context and avoid premature conclusions. He also emphasized analyzing networks of interests and clarifying areas of uncertainty.

He pointed to the necessity of examining the implications behind the selection of news stories, angles, images, scenes, language, and target audiences. He further underscored the importance of paying attention to what is published, repeated, omitted, or given the most prominence, as well as the need to properly rank and evaluate sources.

Dr. Al-Qaraleh also engaged with attendees on indicators of bias and common tools of misinformation, methods for assessing claims, and the distinction between methodological skepticism and nihilistic doubt, in addition to how narratives and assumptions are constructed.

The lecture was attended by journalists, media professionals, and interested participants from nine Arab and African countries.