Amer Ali Khan warns of fake news threat, urges media to embrace digital shift
Hyderabad: Congress MLC and Siasat Daily editor Amer Ali Khan on Tuesday said that the spread of fake news has become one of the most serious challenges confronting both the media and the government. Speaking at the Hybiz TV Media Awards 2025 in Hyderabad, he called for urgent adaptation to digital disruption and greater responsibility in news dissemination.
Addressing a gathering at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Amer Ali Khan said misinformation now spreads faster than verified news, posing a direct threat to public trust and democratic discourse. “It’s not just about responding to falsehoods anymore—we must find ways to stay ahead of them,” he said.
A regular attendee at the Hybiz awards, Amer Ali Khan began his address by acknowledging the platform for consistently honouring excellence across sectors. He recalled that his father, journalist Zahed Ali Khan, and senior media figure Ranga Reddy had been honoured at earlier editions. “For me, attending this event has become an annual ritual,” he said, commending Hybiz and its founder Raj Gopal for their continued efforts.
Drawing on his dual role as a journalist and legislator, Amer Ali Khan shared insights into how news narratives are increasingly shaped by political dynamics rather than newsroom decisions. “It has become harder to distinguish whether news originates from journalists or is manufactured by political actors and then circulated,” he remarked.
He criticised the initial communication strategy of the current government, pointing to a gap in public engagement. “There was no significant buzz initially, whether in traditional or social media. But we are now seeing targeted efforts, especially to counter fake narratives, like those surrounding recent incidents at the University of Hyderabad,” he said.
Amer Ali Khan underlined that fake news now travels with alarming speed online, challenging the ability of legitimate media to respond in time. “The media must go beyond clarifications—it must develop proactive systems to safeguard credibility,” he said.
He also touched on the rapid technological changes transforming journalism, citing a conversation with a senior IAS officer who predicted that skills like prompt engineering and strong English communication would become essential in the near future. “AI has changed the game—it can now do the work of fifty people in the hands of one person,” he noted.
Amer Ali Khan acknowledged that even vernacular publications like his own have been affected. “I once thought our newspaper could run smoothly for another ten years. But COVID-19 and social media have rewritten those assumptions,” he said. He added that regional print media now struggle to retain relevance in the face of shifting reader expectations.
“Today’s audience wants quick, diverse content—all at once. Only digital platforms can meet that demand effectively,” he said, urging traditional media to evolve with new formats and strategies.
Despite these challenges, Khan ended on a hopeful note. “We must find solutions to deal with the misuse of social media and responsibly harness technology for the public good,” he said.
He concluded by praising the Hybiz TV Media Awards for their consistent recognition of talent. “Such events uplift every sector, especially the media. My congratulations to Raj Gopal and his team—I hope this initiative grows even stronger,” he said.