Paraguay’s new alliance with Meta: Can it stop election misinformation?

In order to fight disinformation during elections, Paraguay’s Electoral Justice and Meta have inked a deal, which was brought up during the XVII Inter-American Meeting of Electoral Authorities which took place on August 20 to 21, 2024.

Addressing the Threat of Misinformation in Elections

At this significant convention, Paraguay’s Superior Electoral Court (TSJE) Chief Justice César Rossel highlighted the pressing issues of fake news and the involvement of artificial intelligence in unethical electoral practices.

“This meeting was aimed at establishing strategic alliances to mitigate disinformation during electoral processes,” Rossel was quoted to have said in the report by MercoPress.

A Proactive Stance for Democratic Integrity

The rise of misinformation, particularly during election periods, poses significant threats to democratic processes globally. In Paraguay, the announcement of a partnership between Meta and the TSJE reflects a proactive stance against these threats, showcasing the importance of cooperation between governmental bodies and social media platforms. The Inter-American Meeting of Electoral Authorities 2024 serves as a crucial forum for discussing these challenges in the context of enhanced electoral integrity, where representatives can share insights and strategise solutions to combat disinformation effectively.

TSJE’s Collaboration for Enhanced Civic Initiatives

Also, the  TSJE has aimed to foster the creation of cooperative agreements that address these challenges head-on. To further this goal, the TSJE has been collaborating with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MITIC) to formulate strategies that will enhance electronic signatures and the identification of individuals for future civic initiatives, as detailed by Justice Rossel.

Key Figures in the Signing Ceremony

During the signing ceremony with Meta, Justice Rossel was accompanied by TSJE Justice Jorge Bogarín González, while Meta was represented by Íñigo Fernández, the director of Public Policy for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and Javier Azis, manager of Public Policy for Spanish-speaking South America.

Strategic Partnerships in Focus

The TSJE conveyed that this initiative was part of establishing strategic partnerships aimed at mitigating disinformation during electoral periods, which was a central topic at the Recent Inter-American Meeting of Electoral Authorities 2024.

Global Participation and Deliberations

The event was attended by representatives from 27 countries, 35 electoral bodies, and 53 dignitaries who engaged in discussions about their experiences and challenges regarding electoral integrity.

Panels on Key Topics in Electoral Integrity

The meeting included panels addressing pertinent subjects such as “Artificial Intelligence at the Polls – Shaping the Future of Democracy and Electoral Integrity,” and “Promoting a Secure and Deliberative Information Ecosystem in electoral processes.” Furthermore, participants deliberated on multilateral strategies to safeguard democracy and enhance the health of democratic institutions while promoting secure information ecosystems within electoral contexts. The gathering was orchestrated by the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) in partnership with the TSJE, supported by the Government of Canada.