AYV News, November 12, 2024
Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (EC-SL), Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, who doubles as President of the ECOWAS Network of ElectoralCommissions (ECONEC) has said disinformation is a pervasive threat with coordinated efforts to spread false narratives, often targeting specific demographics or exploiting cultural sensitivities.
He was speaking at the 10th General ECONEC Assembly and Symposium held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Freetown, with the there: ‘Information Integrity and Electoral Integrity: What role for EMBs in the era of social media?’
He went on that these campaigns are frequently sophisticated, leveraging artificial intelligence, targeted algorithms and sometimes cross-border actors intent on destabilising democratic processes.
Mohamed Kenewui Konneh said: “In addressing information integrity, we must acknowledge the dual role that digital platforms play in modern elections. Social media, for instance, has given Elections Management Bodies (EMBs) an unprecedented reach to engage citizens directly. However, it also presents an unparalleled opportunity for misinformation to proliferate. As EMBs, we must understand that this is not merely a media challenge; it is a security and governance issue.”
He suggested proactive monitoring and response and partnerships with technology companies as two leading ways to navigate this digital landscape responsibly. Turn to page 7 of this edition for more.
