(TAP) – A digital platform to fight against fake news will be tested next week.

The project, produced by the Independent High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HAICA), is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe to the tune of 80%.

HAICA President Nouri Lajmi told TAP Saturday the pilot project that has entered the experimental phase, with the participation of the public media, including TAP news agency, the national television and Tunisian radio will include the rest of the media institutions at a later stage.

HAICA on Saturday began the organisation of the first two-day training on fact checking in Monastir.

A series of similar meetings targeting nearly 100 journalists are scheduled in different regions. The goal is to create a network of journalists able to fight fake news.

Nouri Lajmi noted that the dissemination of fake news sees an upsurge on the Web and social media in election period.

This information may threaten the democratic process and the transparency of the elections, he warned.

The President of HAICA stressed the need to sensitise journalists about the seriousness of these practices, by introducing them to techniques allowing to check news and the authenticity of photos and video sequences.

These trainings are part of the programme to support independent bodies in Tunisia launched in June 2019. The programme (2019/2020) is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe.

Sessions are scheduled for August 5 and 6 in Gafsa, August 7 and 8 in Tataouine and August 9 and 10 in Tunis.