24 June 2024, New York, The Secretary-General put forward a framework for coordinated international action to make information spaces safer and more humane. The most urgent tasks of our time, because of the ability to manipulate any information which now harms the world. Misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and other risks to the information ecosystem are fueling conflict, threatening democracy and human rights and undermining public health and climate action. The proliferation of these issues escalates rapidly by the rising available Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies which has increased the threat to groups often targeted in information spaces including children.
Speaking to the reporters the Secretary General emphasized the meaningful of five principles:
- societal trust and resilience
- independent, free, and pluralistic media
- healthy incentives
- transparency and research
- public empowerment
- These five principles are based on the overriding vision of a more humane information ecosystem to provide a solid foundation for sustainable, inclusive development, climate action, democracy, and peace.
The UN chief reiterated the United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity are the result of broad consultations with Member States, youth leaders, academia, civil society, the private sector including tech companies, and the media. The consultations showed that much of the world shares our deep concern and is searching for solutions. The Global Principles lay out a clear path forward, firmly rooted in human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and opinion. Mr. Guterres then demands real action from the governments, the tech sector, and other stakeholders.
- To governments, the UN chief urges them to commit the creating and maintaining a free, viable, independent, and plural media landscape through a guarantee for strong protections to the journalists. Ensure regulations uphold human rights. Refrain from drastic measures, including blanket internet shutdowns. Respect the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
- To media outlets, UN chief requests to raise and enforce editorial standards which safeguard our future by providing quality journalism based on facts and reality importantly to find advertisers who are part of the solution and not the problem.
- To big tech companies: take responsibility by acknowledging the damage your products are inflicting on people and communities. He said: “you have the power to mitigate the harm to people and societies around the world and you have the power to change the business models that profit from disinformation and hate.”
- To advertisers and the PR industry, UN chief asked them to “stop monetizing harmful content by strengthening information integrity to protect the brand and to boost the bottom line. He emphasized that the climate crisis is a cause of particular concern. Coordinated disinformation campaigns are seeking to undermine climate action.”
- To the creatives – don’t use your talents to greenwash.
- To PR agencies – to look for clients who aren’t misleading people and destroying our planet.
The United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity stem from a proposal in Our Common Agenda, the Secretary-General’s 2021 report that outlines a vision for future global cooperation and multilateral action.
The principles provide a resource for Member States ahead of September’s Summit of the Future.
