The Human Rights Council underlines the necessity of digital, media, and information literacy for protecting human rights in the digital age

The Human Rights Council convened a panel discussion on the role of digital, media, and information literacy in promoting and exercising the right to free speech. The discussion focused on the detrimental impact of climate change on the right to food and the necessity to overcome the digital and online divides.

Nada Al-Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director General for Communication and Information at the UN, emphasize the importance of digital, media, and information literacy in advancing human rights. They emphasize the need for countries and companies to comply with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. They also highlighted that the international community should promote digital well-being and develop a more inclusive and responsible global digital community.

The Human Rights Council also discussed the importance of empowering rights holders, investing in digital literacy, and establishing mechanisms for reporting information and expression violations. Participants like Irene Kahn, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, among others, emphasized the need for a multistakeholder approach, digital literacy, and human rights-based strategies.

It was stressed that Internet shutdowns are an increasing global problem, harming human rights such as freedom of expression, education, and health. Misinformation is increasing, and the Human Rights Council stressed the importance of long-term strategies to solve these challenges.