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Weekly highlights

“Fact-checking” to tackle “fake news”

H OW to counter «fake news»,
the false information delibera-
tely disseminated with the aim
of deceiving, harming, or influencing?
The Economic, Social, and Environ-
mental Council has drawn up an opi-
nion on “Fake news, from misinforma-
tion to access to proven and available
information”, presented on Wednes-
day, February 15. The phenomenon is
not new, but it has increased with the
democratization of new information
and communication tools, to such an
extent that “false information circulates
six times faster than the real one!” As
the Council explains, the circulation
of false information is fostered by the
limited access to official and proven
information, especially since citizens
are very poorly equipped to verify its
authenticity, not to mention the some-
times-malevolent intervention from
some influencers.
Many dysfunctions foster or even fuel
the spread of fake news. This is parti-
cularly the case with the retention of
information by some administrations
which do not update official data or tal strategic aspect of occupying the administration concerned, all official tives launched by certain institutions
do not disseminate them systemati- field of information in the digital envi- public documents within 24 hours fol- (MAP -Maghreb Arab Presse Agency,
cally. However, a law exists, namely ronment is essential. This will avoid lowing their adoption. and HACA-High Audiovisual and
Law No. 31-13, which obliges admi- negative impacts that can be extremely Among the weaknesses and dysfunc- Communications Agency, etc.). The
nistrations to such updating and dis- damaging from an economic, social, tions noted is also the lack of human Economic Council is also in favor of
semination. At this level, the results of or political point of view”, note the and physical resources capable of ena- granting subsidies to these ‘‘fact -chec-
the ‘‘ouchariko.ma’’ citizen consulta- experts of the Council. The provision bling the various public media chan- king’’ websites through independent
tion are quite revealing: 37% of res- of relevant and proven information nels to effectively the spread of fake funds, of the universal service type,
pondents consider that it is difficult to by identified official bodies can create news. Added to this is the lack of effec- and also in favor of creating a labeling
find official and proven information, the reflex to refer to such information. tive fact-checking platforms capable system. Another recommendation is to
and for 33% of them, this informa- Credible and strong media are also an of better verifying the facts, with the support initiatives aimed at detecting
tion is incomplete and not up to date. asset! In any case, the Council recom- exception of a few isolated initiatives. and sharing false information among
Against this situation, “open data” mends ensuring the effectiveness of the This refers to the need to set up a public media professionals with a view to
becomes a necessity. It is even a gua- right of access to public information, digital platform for «fact-checking» of- minimizing their dissemination to the
rantee of transparency of the adminis- in particular by making it compulsory ficial information from Morocco while general public. o
tration. “ Awareness of the fundamen- to disseminate, on the website of the taking care to capitalize on the initia- Khadija MASMOUDI

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Friday 17 February 2023