Scholars have shone light on the alternatives represented by independent initiatives, affiliated with civil society organizations and academic institutions, dedicated to debunking fake news in Arab countries. Studies have been carried out to explore their tools and methodology. As educational level and expertise affect the ability of both viewers/ readers and professional journalists to identify fake news, studies have investigated the current state of media literacy, the role of media education, and the training available to journalists to enable them to identify and counter fake news. Those efforts cannot replace the role of governments and legal entities, which are among the actors highlighted by researchers. Scholars have also recommended the promotion full independence. For instance, researchers have examined how fact-checking projects can integrate AI into their processes. The literature does not ignore the gaps that exist in this academic sphere, and there are calls for further academic efforts to be made. While there is general agreement among researchers regarding the importance of media literacy, no study has been carried out to identify the characteristics of effective media literacy courses. Scholars have examined the impact of education on dealing with fake news, but the impact of sociocultural dimensions and age on vulnerability to fake news has not been investigated. Researchers have studied the independent factchecking platforms and initiatives, but the impact of these platforms on audiences and their role in of media literacy and media education in Arab states, and the provision of support to independent initiatives so that they can fulfill their roles with improving traditional media remain unexplored. 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