Assahafa.com
Digital platforms in Morocco are urged to demonetize disinformation while preserving fundamental freedoms, stressed Latifa Akharbach, President of the Haute Autorité de la Communication Audiovisuelle (HACA), on Monday in Abidjan.
“Morocco believes that digital regulation should not hinder technological innovation. Rather, it should strengthen transparency, the traceability of information sources, and the accountability of digital platforms,” Akharbach said while participating in an international conference jointly organized by the Réseau des Instances Africaines de Régulation de la Communication (RIARC) and the Réseau Francophone des Régulateurs des Médias.
In this context, Akharbach reiterated Morocco’s position in favor of an open digital space based on freedom of expression, innovation, and free-market principles. She noted that although Morocco is regularly targeted by large-scale disinformation campaigns, the Kingdom has consistently respected internet freedom.
In her view, protecting freedom of expression in the digital age now involves two fronts: the traditional relationship between the state, the media, and citizens, and the more recent challenge posed by digital infrastructures that shape access to information and influence public debate.
The HACA president argued that the lack of transparency regarding the origin of online content threatens citizens’ freedom of choice and their right to reliable information. She therefore called on major digital platforms to fully assume their responsibilities in combating disinformation.
“Platforms possess the technical means necessary to identify and deprive of advertising revenue the websites, accounts, and content that thrive on disinformation, media impersonation, or other forms of information manipulation,” she added.
She went on to state that, for HACA, demonetizing disinformation has become an essential tool for cleaning up the information ecosystem without undermining either freedom of expression or economic freedom.
Source: map
