The Republic of The Gambia has achieved a significant milestone in digital governance with the announcement of the National Misinformation and Disinformation Response Centre.
Representing the Government at the UNESCO International Conference on Digital Platform Governance in Pretoria, South Africa, the Honourable Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, underscored that safeguarding information integrity is fundamental to democratic consolidation and public trust.
The new centre, the first of its kind in the region, is designed to neutralize the threats of online content manipulation and coordinated harmful campaigns.
By utilizing Artificial Intelligence, the facility will provide journalists, researchers, and citizens with real-time tools to verify news and debunk falsehoods. This initiative is a critical step in balancing freedom of expression with the necessity of maintaining a secure information environment as the nation approaches the 2026-2027 election cycle.
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Pretoria Action Plan, a global framework focused on transparency and platform accountability. Aligning with these international standards, Dr. Ceesay also called for enhanced collaboration within ECOWAS and the African Union to address cross-border digital threats.
The Gambia remains committed to a human rights-based approach to digital governance, ensuring that innovation continues to support national stability and citizen empowerment.
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