PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has issued a strong appeal for responsible use of social media in Guyana, warning that the spread of misinformation is often a deliberate act designed to achieve divisive and harmful outcomes.
Responding to questions during a recent press conference the President condemned the reckless circulation of false information and distressing images online, particularly during times of tragedy.
He stressed that misinformation is not accidental, but intentional.
“Misinformation is always calculated information. Misinformation is a description, but it’s calculated for a specific purpose so whether its media houses, whether its individuals or leaders a calculated move by persons or entity to achieve a calculated outcome, “President Ali said.
Dr Ali noted that the only effective antidote to misinformation is a culture grounded in facts and credible reporting.
“Around the world, the only thing that can combat misinformation are fact-based analysis, separating facts, understanding facts, listening to credible sources, credible sources, and also sources that you can trust. That is important,” he told reporters.
The President was particularly critical of how social media was used during the recent MV Barima tragedy, describing some of the content shared as “unthinkable.”
“It is very unfortunate that we can misuse social media in such a way… Even in a tragedy, the type of photographs that were shared is just, you know, unthinkable. It’s unthinkable, “he said.
Calling for higher ethical standards online, Dr Ali rejected the notion that social media is a ‘lawless space’ in Guyana.
“I call on every Guyanese to use social media in a manner that has some sort of ethical basis [and] moral basis,” he urged.
He pointed to far-reaching social media laws in the United Kingdom as an example of how jurisdictions are tightening regulation in response to digital harms and confirmed that both Guyana and the wider Caribbean region are examining similar reforms.
“As you know, in the UK there are laws for social media that are far-reaching, and the region is looking at this in totality, but we too are looking at how we can amend our laws to address the very concerns that you would have raised,” President Ali noted.
Back in June of this year, the government launched a national consultation aimed at examining the impact of social media on children and developing a framework to better protect young users in the country’s rapidly expanding digital environment.
That consultation which was coordinated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance on behalf of President Ali, brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, schools, parent groups, technology stakeholders, and child protection advocates.
The initiative sought to gather recommendations that will guide future policies, legislation and public education efforts focused on online safety and digital wellbeing.
