To tackle misinformation and disinformation, the Fijian Elections Office and the Online Safety Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, giving them the authority to hold accountable those creating confusion or spreading false election-related information.
At today’s signing in Suva, Elections Supervisor Ana Mataiciwa and Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale emphasized the importance of this step as Fiji prepares for next year’s general elections.
“This MOU strengthens will look at misinformation and disinformation for the past three general elections it generally increases during elections year.”
“This is an action MOU, it’s not a shelf MOU and it will ensure the stakeholders participating in the electoral process whether you’re a registered voter, or a potential candidate, the media this MOU will help you be aware of the information you’re sharing.”
Mataiciwa said today’s signing marked the start of a new process to put systems in place for safe, smooth, and efficient elections.
“This MOU will ensure that we minimise disinformation and misinformation that had skyrocketed during the last general elections and it will allow us to have a process in which if we receive a complaint that is under the Commissioner’s mandate we have a process that is smooth enough to ensure that things are actioned and no one interferes with the election process.”
Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale said it was important for stakeholders to work together to ensure issues faced in the past not deter the upcoming elections.
“In the digital world that we live in, technology plays an important role in every decision that we make in our lives and this reinforces the responsibility that the Commission has and that the media plays in terms of ensuring that the information gets to everyone concerned and affected with the decision and consequences of decisions that occur in online spaces.”
“This is important for electoral integrity and the confidence and trust in the elections process and with the digital evolution its really important to really coordinate our efforts in promoting online safety and protecting all Fijians.”
