Countering rumors with the speed and accuracy of government information
Dr. Nasser Al-Muhaisen, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, emphasized on Thursday the importance of the speed and accuracy of conveying government information from official sources, noting that this helps bridge the gap between the government’s message and the public and curbs the spread of rumors and misinformation.
He made these remarks during a panel discussion titled “The Audience Has Changed… Has Government Communication Changed?” held as part of the 2026 Arab Media Summit in Dubai. The session was moderated by journalist Hiba Za’arour and featured several specialists and officials in the field of government communication.
Al-Muhaisen stated, “The Government Communication Center in Kuwait represents an integrated system that brings together the government platforms of ministries, authorities, and institutions. It contributes to delivering information quickly and accurately through official and verified accounts, official spokespersons, and direct appearances by officials across various media outlets.”
Simplifying the Message
He added that government communication platforms work to simplify official messages so they reach the public in a clear and accessible manner, while also leveraging press conferences, television interviews, and other modern tools to enhance direct engagement with the public.
Al-Muhaisen stressed the importance of responding swiftly to rumors and not leaving them unaddressed for a period that allows them to spread, explaining that rumors grow in what he described as a “media vacuum,” a temporal space devoid of facts.
He underscored the necessity of filling this vacuum with accurate and clear information, even if not all details are available initially, with the understanding that they will be supplemented later. He emphasized that the speed of response must always be coupled with accuracy, transparency, and consideration of the nature of the rumor and the scale of its spread.
For his part, Dr. Nidal Shqour, Professor of Strategic Communication and Government Relations, stated during the session that the changing audience and the evolving ways of receiving information have imposed a new reality on government communication. Information now reaches people faster, and the public interacts with it instantly through social media and news channels.
Shqour added that the challenge is no longer limited to delivering information but extends to building trust amid the proliferation of news and narratives and their rapid dissemination. He noted that the advancement of artificial intelligence further underscores the importance of direct engagement with the public as a fundamental element of the communication process.
In turn, Dr. Zaid Al-Nawaiseh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Government Communication in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, said that the public now expects faster access to reliable news and information, compelling government entities to develop their tools and methods to keep pace with the rapid evolution of social media.
Al-Nawaiseh clarified that government entities face the challenge of balancing the speed of information delivery with its credibility, emphasizing the need to update government communication tools to reach the broadest possible segments of society and provide information more effectively.
