Being first is valuable once… Being right is valuable every time…

2026-03-28 - 15:43

Start with the source, not the story Do not become part of the thread of misinformation Separate ‘breaking news’ from ‘confirmed news The Times Kuwait Report Broadcasting every afternoon on 99.7 Super Station, Mishari & Farid bring listeners a lively mix of music, conversation, and real-time interaction, making the 3:30 PM slot one of the most engaging parts of Kuwait’s radio landscape. The show blends contemporary hits with light-hearted conversational-style discussions that explore trending topics and social issues. The show, which welcomes public participation through call-ins and shoutouts that reflect the pulse of everyday life and experiences in Kuwait, resoundingly resonates with the country’s diverse audience. In a recent segment, the show discusses how journalism in today’s fast-moving, information-heavy environment has become a critical responsibility, especially amid rising misinformation, AI-generated content, and manipulated media. The discussion highlighted the challenges of distinguishing fact from noise and the importance of accuracy and trust in reporting. Focusing on Kuwait, it raised questions about how different media platforms shape narratives and where editorial boundaries lie. In this engaging segment, Mishari & Farid spoke to Reaven D’Souza, Executive Managing Editor of The Times Kuwait, to share his insight into how media professionals are navigating these journalistic challenges and protecting the integrity of information. 1. In the current regional climate, how would you assess the performance of official Kuwaiti media in covering fast-moving and sensitive developments? In the current regional climate marked by fast-moving security developments and high public anxiety, the official Kuwaiti media has generally leaned toward caution, control, and consistency. From an editorial standpoint, I would characterize its performance as responsible with clear strengths and equally clear limitations. Official Kuwaiti media has performed its core function well: it is trusted, steady, and non-inflammatory. 2. With the surge of misinformation and AI-generated content, what concrete verification processes does your newsroom use to authenticate videos, images, and breaking reports? In today’s environment, verification is no longer a back-end function, it sits at the center of the newsroom workflow. With AI-generated content and recycled war footage circulating at warp speed, we have had to formalize what used to be instinct into repeatable, documented processes. We classify incoming material into three buckets: Unverified → never published, only flagged internally Partially verified → used with clear labeling (“reports suggest...”) Fully verified → cleared for headline use 3. How has artificial intelligence changed the way journalists approach fact-checking, and do you see it as more of a threat or a tool? Artificial intelligence or ACTUAL Intelligence has fundamentally changed fact-checking from a human-led process into a hybrid system where speed and doubt must coexist. It has raised both the ceiling of what journalists can verify and the floor of how easily misinformation can be produced. From an editorial perspective, it is both a tool and a threat, but not in equal measure. Right now, it is a force multiplier on both sides. 4. In moments of crisis, is speed still the defining priority for breaking news, or have editorial safeguards and accuracy taken precedence over being first? Speed still matters but it is no longer the defining priority. In today’s environment, accuracy under pressure has overtaken being first as the metric that actually protects a newsroom’s credibility. From an executive editor’s perspective, the shift is quite clear: Being first is valuable once. Being right is valuable every time. 5. How do you evaluate the way international media outlets are reporting on the current regional tensions compared to local and regional coverage? From my perspective, the contrast between international and local/regional coverage of current tensions is less about who is ‘better’ and more about what each is structurally equipped to do. They operate with different priorities, audiences, and editorial instincts. 6. In your view, have social media and new media platforms begun to replace traditional journalism, or do they serve fundamentally different roles, and is there still a clear distinction between the two today? They have not replaced traditional journalism but they have redefined its environment so completely that the old boundaries are blurred. I feel social and new media platforms serve fundamentally different roles, even if, on the surface, they now appear to do the same thing: deliver news. 7. Finally, what advice would you give to audiences in Kuwait on how to distinguish between credible journalism and misleading or manipulated content during times of conflict? In a conflict environment, audiences are no longer just consumers of news, they are frontline filters of information. The volume of misleading and manipulated content today means that distinguishing credible journalism is a practical skill, not a passive habit. I would suggest the most useful ways to approach it would be to: Start with the source, not the story: Before reacting to any piece of news, ask:Who published this? Is it a recognized outlet or an anonymous account? Trusted institutions whether local like Kuwait News Agency or established international outlets have reputations to protect. Anonymous posts do not. A dramatic claim from an unknown source should always be treated as unverified by default. Separate ‘breaking news’ from ‘confirmed news’: During crises, the first version of events is often incomplete or wrong. Check if multiple credible outlets are reporting it. One report is not a confirmation. If something is real and significant, then more than one reputable outlet will carry it Do not become part of the thread of misinformation: The biggest amplifier of misinformation is well-meaning sharing. Before forwarding anything, ask: Am I sure this is true or am I just reacting to it? Bottom line: In times of conflict, the question is no longer just, “What is happening?” It is, “What can I trust?” The safest approach is simple: Slow down, verify the source, cross-check before believing or sharing People who apply these habits do not just protect themselves, they help protect the information environment of the entire society.