Across the globe, disinformation is on the rise. Solutions for tackling and addressing it, especially in challenging environments such as during armed conflicts or election periods, must be grounded in the protection and promotion of human rights.
As the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council continues, the Permanent Mission of Latvia, Permanent Mission of Lithuania, and Permanent Mission of Ukraine are co-organising an event on 22 March to discuss UN member states’ strategies for safeguarding information integrity.
The event, Safeguarding Information Integrity: Exploring State Strategies, will provide an opportunity to listen to representatives from international organisations, civil society, and non-profit social media organisations working on countering disinformation. It will take place from 13:00 to 4:00 (CET), Room XXVII, Palais des Nations, Geneva.
Quinn McKew, Executive Director, ARTICLE 19 will chair the event.
The speakers and panellists are:
Dr. Rihards Bambals, Head of Strategic Communications at State Chancellery of the Republic of Latvia (strategic communications and digital literacy)
H.E. Ms Yevhenia Filipenko, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva
Mr. Alberto Fernández Gibaja, Head of Programme, Digitalization and Democracy; International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA); working on disinformation and elections
H.E. Mr. Bahtijors Hasans, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Latvia to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva
Liubov Tsybulska, advisor to the government of Ukraine and founder of the the Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security under the Ministry of Culture and Information
The Human Rights Council has highlighted the value of implementing effective strategies to confront disinformation that promote, protect and respect individuals’ freedom of expression and freedom to seek, receive and share information, as well as other human rights. It is crucial that people are guaranteed access to information, and that strategies support a diverse, independent media, and protect journalists.
As Russia’s full scale invasion against Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza continue, countering disinformation is vital to help prevent further escalation and promote peace: false narratives can fuel violence and hinder diplomatic efforts. Similarly, in elections, combating disinformation safeguards the integrity of democratic institutions and ensures voters are able to make informed decisions.
The event will also address the need to safeguard information against a backdrop of the rapid evolution of new technologies, the dangers this poses to the right to access information because of the role these technologies can play in spreading disinformation, and focus in particular on the crucial importance of digital and media literacy education. Promoting digital and media literacy will empower individuals to critically evaluate online content, discern fact from fiction, and safeguard the integrity of information in the digital age.