The move comes as disinformation, misinformation, mal-information and fake news continues to pose serious threats to communities and institutions, demanding multi-faceted approach on all fronts to curb this growing global phenomenon.
At the launch ceremony, Omar Saibo Camara, executive director, highlighted the importance of the website.
“The creation of this website will enhance our work, connect us beyond the corners of The Gambia and provide accurate, reliable and credible information to the public.” he said.
He reminded that the ultimate target of the Center is to ensure access to accurate and reliable information, uphold peace and peaceful elections, encourage government accountability and transparency to promote good democratic governance and respect for human right values in The Gambia.
“Disinformation, misinformation, Mal-information and fake news are significant global phenomena threatening global peace and democracy, because it undermines public trust in government, people with authority and other institutions, as well as contributes to the polarisation of the society. Hence, its successful combat requires a concerted effort from all and sundry, from you and I. Cognizant of that, I believe we'll all find it worthy to wage a fight against all forms of information disorder.” Camara stated.
Muhammed Lamin Touray, Communication Officer, Fact Check Center, encouraged all to reach out to the centre with their uncertain information.
This, he added, will help collectively combat the spread of mis and mal-information.” he said.
Ndegen Jobe, Deputy Speaker at the National Youth Parliament, explained that mis/disinformation and hate speech has become a challenge and something that created an information disorder and violation of people’s right to access to accurate information.
“Today we are launching the fact check Center website to make access to accurate information more organized, accessible and easy to track. Any one that visits the website will be able to reports claims, learn about the organisation, donate and build partnership with us. This is important because Fact checking is everyone’s business irrespective of the work we do, be it media, Civil Society, the diplomatic Corps, UN Agencies or international organisation.”
Fake news and mis/disinformation, she went on, affects all which demands everyone’s input to eradicate it.
“Fact Check Center as young as it is, with its limited resources has registered enormous success and has contributed in ensuring sanity during both the 2021 presidential and 2022 National Assembly elections, thanks to the vibrant youth leadership in the organisation.”
