Journalists and experts call on the State to regulate the use of AI to spread fake news.
El Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) held the forum "Current Challenges in Communication: Ethics, Digital Media and Regulations" to encourage critical reflection on the ethical principles that should govern journalistic and communication practices today.
SANTO DOMINGO. - In a context of accelerated transformation, information immediacy and disinformation, the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) held the forum “Current challenges in communication: ethics, digital media and regulations”, A space for reflection on the present and future of communication, where experts in the field addressed the challenges posed by the dissemination of information in the face of the growth of artificial intelligence.
The event, which was organized by the Area of Social Sciences and Humanities from the University and the career of Social Communication and Digital Media, brought together prominent figures in national journalism, content creators, students, and academics to address the ethical dilemmas facing communication in the digital age.
During the first panel entitled “The ethical compass in the age of immediacy”, Roberto Cavada, director and presenter of Cavada Noticias, emphasized the need to regulate freedom of expression and digital media, in order to guarantee the responsibility of the information disseminated by influencers and media outlets on different platforms.
Artificial intelligence and fake news
Referring to the use of artificial intelligence to create false information, Cavada said: "If we don't sit down and regulate it now that it's just beginning, while it's in its infancy and already speaking for us, one day it will be our own victim," the renowned journalist stated.
The panel, which was moderated by the dean of the Area of Social Sciences and Humanities of the university, Dalul Ordehi, also included the participation of Uriel Suriel, creator of El Brifin; Nairobi Viloria, journalist and creator of the platform "I'll Explain It to You News"And Coralis Orbe, coordinator of the Digital Desk of the Listín Diario newspaper.
Analyzing the rise of fake news, Coralis Orbe of Listín Diario noted that, although there are tools to identify the veracity of information, "I've realized that this technique is being refined every day," she said, referring to AI voice cloning of public figures with the aim of spreading misinformation.
Despite the conveniences offered by the digital world, Del Orbe explained that web-based news is aimed at a wider audience and, therefore, requires greater care when publishing it. "If there's no confirmation of that fact, we simply don't post it," he said, describing the dynamics of the Listín Diario newsroom.
In this regard, and as part of the actions to be taken by the media, Viloria called for verifying information before disseminating it and for educating audiences about artificial intelligence and its challenges.
"We need to educate ourselves and our audiences through campaigns that explain how we can fall prey to these fake audios," the journalist said.
On the other hand, Uriel Suriel, from the El Brifin platform, specified that immediacy does not impact his content creation dynamics, and he valued the bond that is built between the audience and a medium when it has credibility.
Building credibility in a connected world
In the second panel “Building credibility in a connected world”, Francisco Tavárez, director of "The Democrat”, explained how audience expectations have evolved in the digital age, in which social media has democratized communication, allowing anyone to generate content, but also exposing society to an overload of information that is often manipulated, sensationalist, or false.
The panel also included Eduardo Valcárcel, managing partner of Newlink Dominicana and Caroline Santana, jurist and producer of “The Big Question” and was moderated by the acting rector of INTEC, Alliet Ortega.
During the conversation, Carolina Santana emphasized that virality can be manufactured through algorithms, bots, or artificial trends, generating a consumer culture that prioritizes attention over truth, and a new generation that normalizes working and living with anxiety.
Meanwhile, Strategic Communication expert Eduardo Valcárcel concluded the panel by highlighting the value of ethics as the ability to respond and accept consequences, advocating for a legacy of communicators who carry out their professional practice with social awareness, independence, and judgment.
About the Forum
During the opening speech, the interim rector of INTEC, alliet ortegaHe emphasized that communication, more than a tool, is a right and a fundamental pillar of democracy. In a hyperconnected world, with an abundance of information and the growing impact of technologies like artificial intelligence, he stressed that communicating responsibly and ethically is an urgent necessity.
"We need more educated and informed voices, not fewer," he said. Ortega also highlighted the need for responsible digital platforms, professionals committed to quality journalism, and citizens who understand the power of each message they share.
Ortega emphasized that, with the event, INTEC reaffirms its strategic commitment to training professionals and citizens capable of communicating rigorously, strengthening democracy, and contributing to the development of a more just and informed society.
The event was attended by representatives of students and faculty from INTEC's Social Communication and Digital Media program.