RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEGULF COOPERATION COUNCIL (GCC) Report Legal Disclaimer The following legal disclaimer (“Disclaimer”) applies to this document (“Document”) and by accessing or using theDocument, you (“User” or “Reader”) acknowledge and agree to be bound by this Disclaimer. If you do not agree to this This Document was prepared by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). While reasonable efforts have been madeto ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information provided, DCO makes no representations or warranties of The information provided in this Document is intended for general informational purposes only and should not beconsidered professional advice. DCO disclaims any liability for actions taken or not taken based on the information DCO reserves the right to update, modify, or remove content from this Document without prior notice. The publicationof this Document does not create a consultant-client relationship between DCO and the User. The designations employed in this Document or the material on any map do not imply the expression of any opinionwhatsoever on the part of DCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area or of its authorities, The use of this Document is solely at the User’s own risk. Under no circumstances shall DCO be liable for any lossor damage, including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage, or any loss whatsoever Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this Document do notnecessarily represent the views of the Digital Cooperation Organization. The User shall not reproduce any content of By accessing and using this Document, the Reader acknowledges and agrees to the terms of this Disclaimer, which TABLE OFCONTENTS ForewordExecutive SummaryOverview of the InsightsIntroductionKey Themes and FindingsImplicationsThe State of the Art on Cultural Values and MisinformationThe Knowledge on Cultural Values and MisinformationEmpirical Data on Culture and Misinformation in GCC Member States and GloballyThe Roundtable Results on integrity. Accordingly, the report outlines a clearroadmap: establishing fact-checking hubs and AItools attuned to local dialects and cultural contexts;rolling out digital-media-literacy programmes thatspeak to Gulf sensibilities; and harnessing trustedtraditional channels, such as majlis gatherings andpublic-service broadcasting, to reinforce verified Left unchecked, false narratives can erode publichealth,destabilise governance,sap confidencein the digital economy, and weaken the socialfabric that binds our societies. Effective counter-measures must be culturally grounded, reflecting In that spirit, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)partnered with the Digital Cooperation Organization(DCO)to explore the misinformation challengein depth. This report is not a reaction to shifting Combattingmisinformation is a collectiveendeavour. Governments, educators, technologyinnovators, faith leaders, media organisations,and individual citizens all share responsibility for Foreword Icommend the DCO’s rigorous methodology;expert round-tables, in-depth interviews, and aglobal survey of more than 4,000 respondents in20 countries, including 1,220 voices from acrossthe GCC. The findings reveal universal patterns Misinformation is no longer a side-effect of the digital age; itis a first-order global risk. The World Economic Forum’s 2024Global Risks Report ranks misinformation as the top short-termthreat to global stability, while the 2025 Reuters Digital News On behalf of the GCC, I thank the DCO for thislandmarkcontribution and look forward todeepening our collaboration as we work to build a Across the region, citizens and community leadersconsistently call for an information ecosystem built H.E. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi Secretary-General At the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), ourvision is to promote inclusive digital prosperity thatis resilient, trustworthy, and culturally nuanced.This comprehensive report on “Cultural ValuesandOnline Misinformation:Recommendations It highlights effective community-led initiatives,culturally adapted media literacy programs, and The DCO advocates strongly for the importanceofa collaborative,multi-stakeholder approachtoaddressmisinformation.Policymakers,techcompanies,educational institutions,civilsocieties, and community leaders all have critical Misinformation is deeply intertwined with culturalvalues,trust networks,and communicationtraditions. In the GCC region, characterized by itsrich heritage, collective identity, and high levels of Furthermore, the findings and recommendationspresented here align seamlessly with the DCO’smission to accelerate inclusive and sustainabledigitaltransformation.Asmisinformationincreasingly intersects with emerging technologies This report highlights the necessity of aligningmisinformation mitigation strategies with localculturalcontexts,leveraging trusted locallea