Garcevic: A proactive approach is the best way to combat fake news

The founder of The Nutshell Times, Srdjan Garcevic, regarding the announcement that special teams will be formed by the end of the year to respond to fake news about Serbia, emphasized to Kosovo Online that the most important thing is to have a proactive approach, which involves not only promoting one's own narratives but also creating adequate campaigns.

"The best way to prevent fake news is to provide context, to present your side of certain events, because, as the saying goes, a lie travels around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes. A proactive approach is important, through promoting one's own narratives, but also through constantly reminding the public of the specific actors who have spread fake news. Whether it is the journalists themselves or the media that actively create certain campaigns," Garcevic pointed out.

According to him, a proactive approach is important because fake news will always exist.

"There will always be fake news, and fake news can sometimes be unintentional, so it's important to present your own perspectives and narratives, rather than just being 'reactive' and expecting that to be enough. Of course, it is not about silencing certain journalists or media, but rather constantly reminding the public of their role and being very clear in creating a forum where the truth can actually prevail," Garcevic emphasized.

He explained that most of the fake news directed against Serbia comes from decontextualization or placing things in a different context.

"Let’s recall the story of how events during the wars of the 1990s or throughout our history were contextualized, which is just a form of twisting the truth," Garcevic pointed out.

He himself was attacked in 2019 because, thanks to social media, he managed to refute the claim of an American journalist who had misquoted a statement by then-Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

"When I clearly translated what was actually said, it became clear that the fight against fake news is not just about showing what the truth is, but that it actually requires a very robust defense of the whole situation. At that time, I was attacked and called a chauvinist simply because I directly translated what had happened," Garcevic recalled.