“These are non-legislative documents where all media practitioners and civil society can buy into, sign and make commitments not to distribute disinformation to the public, which is detrimental to social cohesion.”
He made this statement at his ministry’s monthly press conference yesterday.
“We will also try to establish what they call a social media observatory, which will be inclusive, which will include the ministry, DOIS, social media, civil society, fact-checkers, to be constantly scanning what is being said online.”
“Anything that they found to be disinformation, which is detrimental, will send an alert to the public that this is disinformation and disregarded. This is our drive to counter disinformation and misinformation. And we are also beginning to implement a community-based policy to support and empower community-based radios,” he revealed.
Dr Ceesay further stated that there are other legal instruments his ministry wants to develop this year, citing Regulations on Access to Information Act as instructed by the Act. He added that his ministry would also work on the government communications policy as there is no government communications policy currently.
“There is no policy that determines how governments communicate among themselves, with the public, and how the government is branded,” he said.
“Therefore, we are working on one to ensure we streamline communication within government, but also outside of government.
He reiterated his ministry's commitment to transparency, accountability and innovation in serving the people. “I think that the commitment of government to serve the public in providing basic services like healthcare, education, infrastructure is important. We also emphasise that the progress is a shared effort; that the progress we've achieved so far is a shared effort.
“And the ministry values the role of the media, and development partners in achieving national goals. The Ministry of Information would not be able to fulfil its mandate without the support of the media, and that is a fact,” he underlined.
