25 February 2020 – In order to fight the disinformation and fake news that permeates the media environment and results in the erosion of confidence, polarization of politics and widespread confusion on important matters, OSCE PA President George Tsereteli (Georgia) has appointed Oscar Mina (San Marino) as Special Rapporteur on Disinformation and Propaganda.

President George Tsereteli, Head of San Marino Delegation Oscar Mina and Secretary General Roberto Montella at the Winter Meeting, Vienna, 21 February 2020“Disinformation and propaganda have become new tools in hybrid warfare. Through the use of new technology, they are increasingly damaging the credibility of journalism and posing a serious danger to democracy and its core values,” President Tsereteli said. “Parliamentarians can play a crucial role in fighting this phenomenon and promoting cybersecurity in both national and international fora, by developing new policies and legislation and by creating a positive environment for good information to spread.”

Tsereteli expressed appreciation for the continued involvement of San Marino in fighting disinformation on the international stage and in the Parliamentary Assembly, first with former Head of Delegation Luca Santolini serving as Special Rapporteur and now Oscar Mina. A high-level conference on the dangers of disinformation took place in San Marino on 10 May 2019, with OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella addressing the participants.

Working in close co-operation with the OSCE PA’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, the Special Rapporteur on Disinformation and Propaganda:

• Represents the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at relevant international conferences;
• Promotes partnerships with the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media as well as the OSCE Chairmanship, other OSCE executive structures and with relevant international stakeholders on issues related to the promotion of media literacy and resilience to misinformation;
• Informs the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly of steps taken to counteract disinformation including related to strengthening national legislation to promote high-quality journalism, developing norms and standards that apply equally to both traditional and digital platforms, and encouraging accurate and diverse media content, while ensuring compliance with international legal guarantees of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of the media;
• Considers relevant developments in the OSCE region and advises the President on any further steps to be taken.

Mina, a former Captain Regent (Head of State) of the Republic of San Marino, has been a member of parliament since 2006.