Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

ESWATINI, TAIWAN PARTNER TO FIGHT FAKE NEWS, PROPAGANDA

By SIBUSISO DLAMINI | 2024-11-24

Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of China (Taiwan) to tackle the growing threat of fake news and propaganda.

The agreement was recently disclosed by Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini, in a report detailing policy documents approved by Cabinet during the past quarter.

The agreement, submitted by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu, is regarded by government as a key initiative in enhancing the country’s international image.

Misinformation and fake news have been persistent challenges recently for the State, which has frequently had to issue public clarifications to counter fabricated statements and misleading information circulating online.

The new MoU, set to last 24 months, aims to bolster the country’s capacity to handle such threats effectively.

Explaining the agreement’s significance, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Newman Ntshangase, described it as a collaborative framework to address a global phenomenon increasingly challenging governments and societies globally.

“The purpose is to combat information manipulation and promote information integrity,” said Ntshangase, making it known that the agreement aligns with both countries’ shared values of safeguarding national reputation, social stability, and democratic governance.

Partnership
“This partnership will allow Eswatini to benefit from Taiwan’s extensive experience in promoting information integrity,” he added.

According to the principal secretary, Taiwan will share its knowledge to help strengthen the country’s information resilience, while both nations work together to address these threats.

The MoU, whose coordination will be managed by the Taiwan embassy in the country, also prioritises privacy and confidentiality, ensuring that all shared data, documents or information remain secure throughout its implementation.

Swelihle Dlamini, a Liswati cyber-security expert currently based in Dublin, Ireland, lauded the initiative, describing it as a decisive step by government in addressing a global challenge that threatens to erode public trust in traditional media and democratic systems.

“Government’s decision to act decisively against misinformation reflects a broader commitment to enhancing the country’s digital future while safeguarding its democratic values is commendable,” she said.

She commended government for taking proactive measures to safeguard its information environment, stating that the MoU serves as a testament to the power of strategic international partnerships in building a resilient information infrastructure.

“Fake news and propaganda have become significant global challenges, posing risks to public trust and stability, therefore, the agreement underscores government’s commitment to addressing the fake news phenomenon head-on, ensuring that Emaswati receive accurate and reliable information in an increasingly digital era,” said Dlamini.

Misinformation
“Eswatini in particular has faced a surge in misinformation, particularly during recent periods of political unrest, exposing vulnerabilities in its information ecosystem,” she added, stating that this has called attention to the urgent need for robust systems to address such threats.

She made it known that she believes the partnership is crucial because the country stands to gain significantly from Taiwan’s vast technological resources and expertise, highlighting that the East-Asian nation’s digital advancement could help Eswatini enhance its technological infrastructure, foster innovation, and align with global digital standards.

Effects
“Globally, we’ve seen the devastating effects of information manipulation, and Eswatini is no exception. It is therefore, encouraging to see government taking a proactive stance through this agreement, which will bolster national security and democratic governance,” she said.

For the partnership to achieve its goals, Dlamini emphasised the importance of inclusivity and collaboration, advocating for integrating technological training into educational institutions, citing the potential benefits of fostering expertise in cyber security, artificial intelligence and digital forensics.

“The mobilisation of citizens is vital. Public education campaigns and awareness initiatives should be prioritised to build a society resilient to misinformation,” she advised.

She further gave prominence to the need for a unified effort involving stakeholders such as the media, human rights lawyers, and information regulatory bodies in implementation of the MoU.

“Such partnerships should be consultative to ensure interventions are effective, widely supported, and, critically, adhere to human rights principles, because it is vital to safeguard against such well-meaning initiatives being misused by the state to stifle media freedom,” Dlamini cautioned.

share story