-by NaAsia Bristol

President Irfaan Ali says people who believe they have been wrongfully maligned should use the courts to establish the facts.

This matter was raised during a recent press conference hosted by the Head of State.

He says while people have a right to seek redress when they believe they have been wrongfully targeted; the legal system should be used to determine the facts.

“My advice to every single person is to utilize the courts. When wrongful allegations are made against you, when you are being maligned, I would encourage everyone… because the irresponsibility that exists on social media is something that has to be addressed,” he said.

The president says the issue is not only about the people making the allegations, but also the speed at which claims are circulated and turned into headlines without being properly verified. He says this can create a particular narrative around individuals and institutions, while later corrections or apologies may receive far less attention.

“Before the elections… there was this interview. After elections, the same person who did the interview had a big public apology on Facebook. And even a person who carried the interview did not carry the apology. That tells you the state we’re in,” he noted.

The President says addressing misinformation will require people to take greater responsibility for the information they share, while those who believe they have been wrongfully targeted can turn to the courts for redress.