The online realm is bustling with activity in an increasingly connected world, but this also means that digital media is overflowing with information from all directions. Although availability of data with a few clicks is a positive outcome, the virtual space is currently plagued by disinformation flooding social networks.

The fake news epidemic is a major cause for concern for the world after the pandemic, and even social media giants like Facebook and Twitter are struggling to contain it. Considering the scale of the problem that threatens people both online and offline, a computer scientist in Qatar has roped in machine learning to weed out misinformation and media outlets that spread it.

The innovator linked to Qatar Foundation possesses knowhow in language and speech processing, and has used his expertise to create AI that measures the trustworthiness of media organisations. As part of an initiative called 'Tanbih', he has created a news aggregator modelled after Google News, to flag political bias and lack of credibility after scanning articles, using machine learning.

The portal which will deliver verified info about covid alongside finance, tech, science, politics and sports related news, will be available in Arabic as well as English. The tool to counter rising disinformation has been set up in collaboration with MIT.

Users who access articles through the Tanbih platform will be alerted about any material that seems to be a piece of propaganda, and additional bits highlighting the background of a source will also be provided.

In a time of instability and confusion in the Middle East, top news agencies have also joined hands with sites like Facebook to ward off fake news from the region. On the other hand Turkey's information ministry has announced the development of its own app to step up efforts against the flow of disinformation on social media.

But the entry of a government controlled system has also raised concerns about increased control on access to independent news sources in Turkey.