United Nations Launched a Framework to Safeguard Information Integrity

Technological development has allowed information to travel at a rapid speed. Everyone can search, share, and receive information anytime and anywhere. While this has revolutionized how we communicate and connect, technological advancement has also increased misinformation and hate speech. As a response, the United Nations released the Global Principles for Information Integrity to safeguard a healthy information ecosystem.

Today’s Challenges

“The world must respond to the harm caused by the spread of online hate and lies while robustly upholding human rights,” said the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech can exacerbate the vulnerabilities experienced by marginalized groups, including gender discrimination and racism. Furthermore, they can threaten the efforts of climate actions and advocacy works by debunking them as ‘not real’ or ‘not severe enough.’

The Global Principles for Information Integrity was launched on June 25, 2024. The framework serves as a holistic guideline for multi-stakeholder actions to strengthen information integrity and achieve healthier information ecosystems.

“At a time when billions of people are exposed to false narratives, distortions, and lies, these principles lay out a clear path forward, firmly rooted in human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and opinion,” said the Secretary-General.

Safeguarding Information Integrity

In essence, the framework consists of five principles for strengthening information integrity: societal trust and resilience; independent, free, and pluralistic media; transparency and research; public empowerment; and healthy incentives.

Information integrity refers to a diverse space that supports human rights, peaceful societies, and a sustainable future. It means enabling people to navigate information spaces and hold opinions and ideas safely with privacy and freedom.

Several countries, including Indonesia, contributed to the framework’s drafting process. In December 2023, the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) held a consultation in Jakarta that highlighted the urgency of legal and ethical enforcement, support for independent media, and digital literacy programs. The event was attended by officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Informatics, representatives of media companies, journalists, academics, and representatives of civil society organizations.

Safer Information Spaces for All

The Global Principles for Information Integrity offers a list of recommendations for key actors in the sector, particularly governments, tech companies, advertisers, and media, to foster healthier and safer information spaces that center on human rights.

Ultimately, strengthening information integrity is crucial to achieving a better world where no one is left behind. Safeguarding a space where information is credible, and people can interact safely can amplify the voices of the unheard and mobilize collective efforts to tackle various urgent challenges among us.

Read the guidelines here.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

Kresentia Madina

Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website | + posts

Madina is the Assistant Manager of Stakeholder Engagement at Green Network Asia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Universitas Indonesia. As part of the GNA In-House Team, she supports the organization's multi-stakeholder engagement across international organizations, governments, businesses, civil society, and grassroots communities through digital publications, events, capacity building, and research.