The Jamaican government, led by the Broadcasting Commission, is set to launch a comprehensive social media literacy campaign.
This initiative aims to enhance public understanding and reduce the spread of misinformation in the digital realm.
The announcement was made by Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, responsible for Information, Skills, and Digital Transformation, during a post-cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on June 26.
As digital spaces become hotbeds for misinformation, the government’s primary focus is on boosting public education.
This effort seeks to equip Jamaicans with the knowledge to distinguish between factual information and falsehoods.
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By leveraging the capabilities of the Broadcasting Commission, which has already begun independent work, the campaign aims to foster a well-informed public.
Legal framework and the pursuit of truth
Dr. Morris Dixon highlighted the challenges posed by the prevalence of disinformation and the government’s commitment to uphold truthfulness, especially in social media communications.
The minister pointed out that while democratic societies welcome diverse opinions, the promotion of outright falsehoods is detrimental.
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In instances of verified misinformation, legal actions may be pursued under existing laws such as the Cybercrimes Act and libel legislation.
No new laws, yet a firm stance on existing legislation
The minister clarified that no new legislation is being introduced at this stage. Instead, the existing legal framework will be utilized to prosecute those disseminating misleading content online.
Before resorting to legal measures, the government emphasizes the importance of public education to guide the discourse on responsible communication in digital platforms.
