AI Can Amplify Both Facts and Fake News: Swiss Ambassador Calls for Critical Thinking

EDUCAST, Speaking at the 41st edition of the MediaTalk series organized by the Faculty of Journalism at St. Xavier’s College, Her Excellency Dr. Danielle Meuwly, the Swiss Ambassador to Nepal, emphasized that while AI can powerfully amplify information, it also runs the risk of spreading misinformation. Addressing the audience as a special guest, she highlighted the critical role of young people in fact-checking and informed engagement to safeguard the future of democracy. The event, themed “Journalists vs. Content Creators: Complementing or Competing in Shaping Public Narratives,” brought together media experts and academics to discuss the evolving landscape of information consumption.

During the panel discussion, Umesh Chauhan, Group Editor at Himalaya TV and Onlinekhabar.com, noted a growing trend among youth preferring short-form content over detailed investigative reporting, and invited students to gain firsthand newsroom experience. Meanwhile, content creator and cultural critic Suraj Subedi argued that digital creators can also act as watchdogs by actively challenging their own biases to produce balanced content. Concluding the event, College Principal Fr. Dr. Augustine Thomas, S.J., praised the intellectual rigor of the discussion, while Faculty Coordinator Chun Bahadur Gurung noted that in the age of AI, the ultimate goal is for both journalists and content creators to responsibly complement each other to strengthen democratic societies.