Spain disburses 164,000 dollars to combat fake news
(AIM) – The Spanish government disbursed on Monday 150,000 Euros (164,000 US dollars, at the current exchange rate) to support the fight against fake news during the current electoral process in Mozambique, which runs until 2025.
The amount will be channelled through United Nations Development Programme (Democracy-UNDP), a platform installed at the headquarters of the National Elections Commission (CNE) in Maputo.
The platform, which aims to ensure credible elections, receives funding from partners and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
The collaboration agreement signed on Monday in Maputo by the Spanish Ambassador Alberto Cerezo and the resident representative of the UNDP in Mozambique, Christy Ahenkora, was witnessed by CNE President, Bishop Carlos Matsinhe.
Speaking minutes after the signing, Matsinhe said that the support will help surpass part of the CNE’s budget deficit, as it covers important areas of the electoral process.
“The amount donated today concurs with the development at the national level, of a platform for identifying fake news and misinformation on social media. We are all aware of how dangerous fake news can be if not mitigated”, Matsinhe said.
“We want to thank the Embassy of Spain for this donation; a noble gesture of solidarity and friendship between the peoples of Spain and Mozambique”, he added.
For his part, Cerezo said that the support is fundamental to increase the health of Mozambican democracy, stressing that it will focus on providing special care to groups sometimes marginalized in society, mainly women and people with disabilities.
“We, at the Spanish Embassy, are representatives of a feminist government, which officially declares itself feminist. We think it is very important and fundamental to also develop the role of women in the electoral process”, said the Spanish diplomat, who hopes that the coming elections will be transparent, credible, free and fair.
(AIM)
