The Forum on Information and Democracy and Reporters without Borders welcome the latest changes made to the Global Digital Compact to strengthen the protection of human rights and access to information, but call upon governments to ensure that the GDC promotes a trustworthy global information and communication space. Therefore, stronger commitments for the right to information, journalism safety and sustainability are needed.
Governments are currently negotiating the Global Digital Compact which will be published in the framework of the Summit of the Future taking place in September 2024. The zero draft of the GDC was published on 1 April 2024. The Forum and RSF, in cooperation with their partners Derechos Digitales and Research ICT Africa provided detailed comments to the 52 States of the Partnership for Information and Democracy. On 15 May 2024 the first revision of the GDC was made public.
“We see some positive improvements in the latest version of the GDC, notably its focus on protecting human rights, requesting human rights due diligence of digital technologies, the focus on the independence of public interest media and commitments to foster access to independent, fact-based information” highlights Camille Grenier, Executive Director of the Forum on Information and Democracy.
The new version notably contains commitment 34(c) “Provide, promote and facilitate access to and dissemination of independent, fact-based, timely, targeted, clear, accessible, multilingual and science-based information to counter mis- and disinformation”, an important recognition that disinformation can only be countered by providing access to reliable information. The new version also modified Objective 3 “Fostering an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights” to reinforce the importance of the protection of human rights, among other positive developments.
“While this is an important step to set safeguards for the global information space, the right to information can only be achieved provided that access to reliable information is enshrined in GenAI and social media’s recommender systems; that journalists are protected; and that media sustainability in this digital age is ensured” explains Antoine Bernard, Director, Advocacy & Assistance at RSF.
The Forum and RSF, therefore suggest the following modifications:
Under Objective 3:
Information integrity
Modify 33. We will work together to promote information integrity, tolerance and respect in the digital space, as well as to protect the integrity of democratic processes. We will strengthen international cooperation to address the challenge of mis- and disinformation online and mitigate the risks of information manipulation in a manner consistent with human rights as well as the principles from the International Partnership for Information and Democracy.
add new: Promote and support the fundamental contribution that independent journalism, activists and human right defenders play online by creating and maintaining an enabling digital environment that ensures the exercise of freedom of expression. Laws based on vague and ambiguous ideas, including “false news” or “non-objective information” that lead to arbitrary interpretation and criminalization are incompatible with international standards for restrictions on freedom of expression and should be avoided. We commit to working together to provide the appropriate conditions for journalists to safely report online about matters of public interest and be protected from cyber-harassment; for media outlets to derive sufficient and sustainable resources from their digital publications; and for independent public interest media to be given due prominence by social media platforms.
Modify 34 (b) Promote diverse and resilient information ecosystems, including by strengthening independent public interest media and all media certified as compliant to self-regulatory standards of independence and journalism ethics such as the Journalism Trust Initiative (SDGs 9 & 16);
add 35 (d): Call on social media platforms to provide users with an easy and user-friendly opportunity to choose alternative recommender systems that do not optimize for engagement but build on ranking in support of positive individual and societal outcomes, including mechanisms to give due prominence to independent public interest media such as those certified by self-regulatory standards as the Journalism Trust Initiative and implement safeguards for public interest media in content moderation policies and decisions.
Human Rights
Modify 24. We support the Secretary-General’s call for a UN Digital Human Rights Advisory Service within OHCHR to provide, upon request and through voluntary resources and in cooperation with civil society and existing initiatives such as the Forum on Information and Democracy, expert advice and practical guidance on human rights and technology issues to governments, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders (All SDGs).
