The dialogue session “Rumors are Dangerous… Awareness is a National Responsibility” held by the Kuwaiti Sociologists Association on June 22, 2026, featured warnings that rumors wreck societies through their ability to influence public opinion and incite anxiety. Dr. Saud Al-Masoud and media consultant Khaled Al-Shamroukh both called for greater awareness and cooperation to counter misinformation, citing its potential exploitation for political and economic gains.
Dr. Saud Al-Masoud opened the gathering at the association headquarters in Kuwait City by describing the spread of rumors as one of the most serious challenges societies face in the digital age. He said they have become a tool capable of influencing public opinion, undermining trust in institutions and inciting anxiety along with social division. Al-Masoud stressed that societal awareness is essential in maintaining stability and strengthening trust between society and its institutions.
The sociologist advocated for integration among official bodies, media outlets, educational institutions, social media platforms and content creators to foster an information environment based on credibility, transparency and responsibility. He explained that the most dangerous aspect of rumors is not the speed of their spread but the tendency of people to believe and circulate them without scrutiny. Al-Masoud added that while technology has given rumors unprecedented means of dissemination, awareness remains the most powerful tool for confronting them.
Khaled Al-Shamroukh indicated during his presentation that rumors begin with a single word and end with a crisis, positioning responsible media as a key partner in protecting society. He underscored the importance of strengthening trust in official sources as a national duty and noted that cooperation between citizens, the media and official institutions forms the first line of defense against rumors and crises. Al-Shamroukh said rumors have harmful effects on society such as inciting fear and anxiety among citizens, undermining trust in official institutions, impacting the economy and investment, creating division and social tension and being exploited by those with dubious agendas.
The media consultant highlighted the necessity of verifying and confirming information before publishing or forwarding it as well as how to identify misleading news, use reliable official sources and bear legal and ethical responsibility for publishing. Al-Shamroukh cited Article 36 of the Constitution stipulating that freedom of opinion is guaranteed and every person has the right to express his opinion and publish it orally, in writing or otherwise in accordance with the conditions and procedures specified by law. This reference came as part of broader guidance on balancing expressive freedoms with safeguards against misinformation.
The session builds on prior alerts from Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, which in April 2026 urged the public to refrain from spreading rumors or unverified videos and images according to Kuwait Times. Interior Ministry Spokesperson Brig Nasser Buslaib said during a media briefing that relying on official information sources helps enhance public awareness and supports national efforts with violators referred to relevant authorities for legal action. A March 2026 KUNA report similarly noted that officials from several authorities described confronting rumors as a shared responsibility that begins with individual awareness of information accuracy.
Al-Shamroukh reinforced that all parties must prioritize credible channels to prevent rumors from achieving political, economic or security objectives. Participants at the Kuwaiti Sociologists Association event examined practical steps for the public to discern fact from fabrication in an era of rapid digital dissemination. The discussions underscored ongoing Kuwaiti initiatives to address such threats through education and inter-institutional collaboration.
