In Peshawar on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025, Syed Saadat Jehan, Deputy Director Communication at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission, told a consultative session that RTI is among the most effective tools to counter fake news by giving journalists and citizens direct access to verified government data.
Mr. Jehan warned that in today’s digital environment thousands of social media outlets produce unverified content that fuels societal polarization. “We are living in a digital world where thousands of social media outlets are producing unverified content, which is creating polarization in society,” he said, stressing that RTI allows reporters to obtain authentic information directly from public institutions for their reporting.
The session, organised jointly by FAFEN and TDEA, brought together journalists, lawyers, civil society members and other stakeholders to discuss practical ways that RTI can bridge information gaps. Participants underlined the need for proactive disclosure by government departments so that regularly published, verified information reduces the space for false narratives.
Speakers and attendees shared concrete recommendations on improving institutional transparency and speeding up RTI responses, noting that stronger access to information is a safeguard against disinformation in a digital landscape where trust in news sources is under strain. The discussion highlighted how routine publication of government data at provincial and local levels can directly help media verify stories and inform citizens.
Participants concluded that expanding awareness and use of RTI across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with stronger adherence to proactive disclosure obligations, will make it harder for misinformation to take hold and will support more reliable public discourse in Pakistan.
