UNESCO issues guidelines for the governance of digital platforms to combat online disinformation

UNESCO published a new set of guidelines for the governance of digital platforms under which it presents duties and responsibilities for stakeholders, including social media platforms, governments, regulatory authorities, civil society, and academia, among others. The aim is to combat online disinformation and hate speech while protecting freedom of expression and the right to information.

These measures address the need for digital platforms to safeguard human rights and conduct risk assessments, including gender impact assessments and risk mitigation measures. Additionally, they call for establishing independent public regulators in countries worldwide that will represent an intertwined, collaborative network.

Digital platforms should also have online moderators that speak the language of the country in which they operate, including indigenous languages. Greater transparency of media and their financing is required, as well as the promotion of critical thinking while safeguarding and strengthening freedom of expression, cultural diversity, and other human rights.

UNESCO’s initiative has been backed by 134 countries worldwide in the last 18 months. Global Market Research company IPSOS conducted a global survey in 16 countries to hold elections in 2024. The respondents have expressed great concern with online disinformation due to social media platforms becoming the most popular source of information, and fearing the spread of false information has already greatly impacted the country’s political life.