TEHRAN – The managing director of the Tehran Times has warned media outlets that the world is entering a new technological era that could be rife with different challenges including a “truth crisis”.

A truth crisis occurs when misinformation and fake news is so widely spread that an average individual would have a difficult time discerning the reality at hand, Mohammad Mahdi Rahmati explained on Monday during a gathering by international media representatives in Guangzhou, China.

“Different media outlets must steer clear of destructive competition and instead strive to build an ideal future. We must always uphold ethics and communicate fairly,” He urged adding that people around the world are becoming more attached to social media as each year goes by.

 Rahmati, however, noted that the increasing use of social media also comes with some advantages including the widespread share of information and  access to enhanced educational resources.

“Media plays the most crucial role in changing the cognitive system of humans, shaping societal values  according to its own desires”.

More than 450 participants from 101 countries and regions, including representatives of 197 mainstream media outlets, think tanks, government agencies, diplomatic missions to China, UN agencies and international organizations attended the 5th World Media Summit which began on Saturday and will last till December 8.