DCO: Morocco among 15 Countries to launch initiative to promote online content integrity
Fifteen member states of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), including Morocco, have unveiled a strategic multilateral initiative aimed at promoting online content integrity, which was announced during the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, taking place December 15-19 in Saudi Arabia.
Morocco is represented at the forum by Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, who also participated in the DCO’s Ministerial Dialogue on Fake News in Riyadh.
In her address, Seghrouchni highlighted the pressing issue of fake news and its growing complexity amid rapid digital transformation and technological innovation, reaffirming Morocco’s commitment to addressing this challenge, citing the severe repercussions of disinformation across various domains. Morocco is working to foster a healthy digital ecosystem that safeguards individual rights and privacy, she said.
She emphasized that collaboration within the DCO and the sharing of best practices among member states would be instrumental in combating fake news and mitigating its impact.
On the sidelines of the forum, Morocco and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster cooperation in the field of government digital transition.
This partnership aims to strengthen coordination and cooperation between the two parties, through support for research and innovation, adoption of new technologies in the field of E-government, sharing of best practices, and enshrining specialized skills.
Under the theme “Ministerial Dialogue on Fake News: Toward a Unified Strategy,” the forum brought together several ministers from DCO member states to discuss coordinated approaches to the issue.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Saudi-based DCO announced the official launch of the initiative to enhance online content integrity. The initiative was formalized through a joint declaration signed by Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, The Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, and Rwanda.
In a statement to the media, DCO Secretary-General, Deemah AlYahya, emphasized the urgency of tackling disinformation, citing surveys conducted across 46 countries, which revealed that more than 59% of respondents are deeply concerned about the difficulty of distinguishing real content from fake content online.
“Disinformation is no longer a peripheral issue but a digital pandemic that demands immediate and collective action,” Al-Yahya stated, further warning that studies suggest disinformation could disrupt elections in several countries over the next two years, potentially threatening global stability.
The UN Internet Governance Forum has drawn over 10,000 participants from 170 countries, alongside 1,000 international speakers. The event featured around 300 thematic sessions and workshops to explore global trends and policies in Internet governance.
The forum provided a platform for exchanging expertise, sharing information, and showcasing best practices, aiming to identify emerging digital challenges and foster collaboration between public and private sectors, as well as civil society organizations.
