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UN Unveils Global Principles to Combat Misinformation and Hate Speech Online
Context:
The United Nations Secretary-General recently introduced the Global Principles for Information Integrity.
- A comprehensive framework aimed at addressing the escalating threats posed by misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech in the digital realm.
The Growing Threat: The profound impact of harmful information on global stability.
- The unchecked proliferation of false narratives not only fuels conflict but also undermines democracy, human rights, public health, and climate action.
- The weaponisation of false information, especially with the rise of AI, disproportionately affects vulnerable groups like children.
The Global Principles build upon the vision of the 2021 UN report ‘Our Common Agenda’ and serve as a resource for upcoming discussions on global cooperation.
The Global Principles, rooted in human rights, aim to empower individuals and create a healthier online environment.
- Environment that upholds human rights, promotes peaceful societies, and supports sustainable development for the future.
- Developed through consultations with Member States, the private sector, youth leaders, media, academia, and civil society.
Recommendations include:
- Combating Harmful Content, Promoting Media Freedom, Enhancing Tech, Company Responsibilities, Ethical AI Development, Reforming Business Models, Transparency in Advertising, Data Transparency and Accountability, Protecting Children.
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What is information integrity? It refers to the accuracy, consistency and reliability of information. It is threatened by disinformation, misinformation and hate speech.
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Information Integrity and Sustainable Development Goals
- Threats to information integrity can have a negative impact on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Initiatives Taken to Combat Misinformation and Hate speech
- Legal Framework:
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- IT Rules (2021): Social media platforms must remove content flagged as false by the government’s fact-checking unit.
- IT Act 2008 (Section 66D): Penalises sending offensive or fake news messages online.
- Disaster Management Act & Epidemic Diseases Act: Regulate fake news during emergencies to prevent pani.
- Data Protection:
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- Digital Personal Data Protection Bill (2023): Aims to curb misuse of personal data which can be used to spread misinformation.
- The Rabat Plan of Action: Developed by international experts with the support of the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), offers practical legal and policy guidance to States on implementing Article 20(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
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- mandates States to prohibit forms of hate speech that incite hostility, discrimination, or violence based on national, racial, or religious grounds.
- Hate speech’ that may be prohibited, complying with the three-part test under Article 19(3) of the ICCPR: a) provided for by law; b) in pursuit of a legitimate aim; and c) must be necessary in a democratic society.
