The public is being urged to verify information before sharing it online as misinformation and disinformation have become increasingly difficult to detect, particularly with the growing use of artificial intelligence.
While responding to questions on the fijivillage Straight Talk Public Forum with Vijay Narayan on whether stronger laws and regulations are needed to deal with people spreading misinformation and unverified information, Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale says while laws and policies can help discourage the spread of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation, members of the public also have a responsibility to check what they see and read online.
He says people should stop and verify information, check whether it comes from a reliable source and seek information directly from relevant organisations when necessary.
Batiwale says the Online Safety Commission can also assist with education and awareness on verifying online information.
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Meanwhile, Fiji Law Reform Commissioner David Solvalu says there are already provisions dealing with misinformation in specific areas, including electoral laws and business practices.
However, Solvalu says social media has significantly changed the scale of the problem, as individuals can now create and spread large amounts of misinformation to influence public views and opinions.
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Solvalu says this is difficult to regulate not only in Fiji but around the world, therefore, public education and awareness remain among the strongest ways of addressing the problem.
