MOGADISHU [SMN] – Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre opened a two-day Conference in Mogadishu on Saturday which aims to combat fake news and misinformation.
In his opening remarks, Barre said his government will take stern action against anyone who dared to spread fake news on social media that discredits the war on Al-Shabaab.
“The government will take legal measures to hold accountable groups that are found to intentionally spread fake news, especially those related to national security,” said the OPM.
The participations include officials from government agencies, local media, civil society, international scholars, and experts who were invited by the Somali Ministry of Information.
Somalia is already seeing a huge spike in social media misinformation campaigns against the current government by its critics, who want to mislead the public from reality.
The Somali government, which is expected to issue new directives, is creating initiatives in an attempt to counter the effects of disinformation across society and counterterrorism.
In October 2022, Somalia’s government directed the local independent media houses not to publish what it deems propaganda for Al-Shabaab, warning offenders will be punished.
Prior to this ban, Somali President Hassan Sheikh pledged to defeat the armed group after countless deadly attacks in Mogadishu, including a siege at Hayat Hotel in August 2022.
