Session
Dynamic Coalition on Platform Responsibility
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: A 90 minute roundtable is instrumental to allowing meaningful interactions with the large number of stakeholders participating in the session.
The concept of "Information Integrity" has been increasingly employed towards a propositive agenda that aims to encompass the addressing of disinformation, misinformation, hate speech and threats for democracy in the online environment (see, for instance, the recently-launched United Nations Global Principles For Information Integrity). Nevertheless, it still lacks a solid theoretical framework. Joining forces, the DC on Platform Responsibility (DCPR) and the DC on Internet Rights and Principles (IRPC) organize this session to explore the concept from a perspective of human rights and platform responsibilities. The session clearly states challenges for trust and security in the current digital information ecosystem, including those related to algorithmic recommendation systems and the attention economy. The session also aims to evaluate and support the ongoing activities of all stakeholders toward strengthening information integrity, for social media platforms particularly how to live up to their responsibility while complying with human rights principles.
A 90 minute roundtable is instrumental to allowing meaningful interactions with the large number of stakeholders participating in the session.
Yasmin Curzi (Karsh Institute of Democracy, University of Virginia, USA), Academic and DCPR Luca Belli (Center for Technology and Society at FGV Law School, Rio de Janeiro), Academic and DCPR Santosh Sigdel (Digital Rights Nepal), Civil Society and IPRC Dennis Redeker (ZeMKI - Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research, University of Bremen, Germany), Academic and IPRC
* Ana Cristina Ruelas, UNESCO * Samara Castro, Brazilian Presidency of the Republic, Brazil * Nic Suzor, Meta Oversight Board, Australia * Robert Gorwa, WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Germany * Anita Gurumurthy, IT for Change, India * Rolf Weber, Zurich University, Switzerland
Yasmin Curzi, Luca Belli, Dennis Redeker
Giullia Thomaz
Yasmin Curzi
5. Gender Equality
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Targets: Our session is linked to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 and 5, which focus on fostering peace, justice, strong institutions, and gender equality, respectively. By addressing information integrity the session contributes to SDG 16’s aim of promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies. Moreover, our session emphasises the importance of SDG 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Disinformation and online abuse have specific impacts on women, exacerbating existing gender inequalities and undermining efforts to create an inclusive society.
Report
Overview of the Session:
The session on "Information Integrity, Human Rights & Platform Responsibilities," held on Day 4 of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024, brought together diverse perspectives on the intersection of digital platforms, information integrity, and human rights. With speakers representing UNESCO, IT for Change, the Brazilian Communications Secretariat, and the UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy, the session addressed the evolving concept of information integrity in the digital age, exploring how digital platforms' responsibilities intersect with international human rights frameworks. The session also highlighted regional and governmental efforts to tackle challenges such as misinformation, hate speech, and the democratic implications of digital platforms.
Session Structure and Key Presentations:
The session began with introductory remarks by Yasmin Curzi and Dennis Redecker, who set the stage for a discussion on the need for a more holistic understanding of information integrity. Yasmin Curzi outlined the context of internet rights, emphasizing the importance of applying human rights principles to digital platforms. She introduced the idea that internet governance should prioritize human rights, transparency, and the accountability of digital platforms. Dennis Curzi followed, drawing attention to the importance of a multistakeholder approach in governing digital platforms, emphasizing the need for cooperation between civil society, academics, governments, and regulatory bodies.
1. Ana Cristina Ruelas (UNESCO):
Ana Cristina Ruelas from UNESCO presented the organization's efforts to promote information integrity and raise awareness about its importance in the digital sphere. She highlighted the role of UNESCO in developing the "Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms," which offer practical recommendations for stakeholders to meaningfully engage in platform governance. Ana stressed the importance of ensuring that platforms are transparent about their operations and content moderation practices, particularly in high-stakes contexts like elections or conflict zones. She also called for the empowerment of marginalized users, enabling them to create counter-narratives and take control of their digital experiences. Ana also tied these efforts to the 2024 Global Digital Compact, which seeks to address the challenges of information integrity on a global scale.
2. Merrin Muhammed (IT for Change):
Merrin Muhammed from IT for Change discussed the limitations of the current mainstream framework for information integrity, which traditionally focuses on information accuracy, consistency, and reliability. She argued for a broader understanding of information integrity that incorporates the social, political, and economic factors influencing information ecosystems. Merrin critiqued the focus on regulatory measures alone, which often fail to address the structural issues driving disinformation and misinformation. She advocated for more comprehensive reforms, including stronger legislation and a shift towards media pluralism and civic-driven information systems. Merrin's remarks also highlighted the limitations of user empowerment measures, particularly in the context of marginalized communities with limited access to media literacy and technological tools.
3. Mayra Saito (Brazilian Communications Secretariat):
Mayra Saito, representing the Brazilian government, shared insights on Brazil's approach to combating misinformation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine rollout. She discussed the government's efforts to integrate information integrity into national and international agendas, including its initiatives under Brazil’s G20 presidency. Mayra emphasized the importance of an integrated approach that involves various sectors, including the legislative branch, in tackling the challenges of misinformation. She also outlined Brazil’s focus on climate change as a key area for fostering information integrity.
4. Yasmin Curzi (UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy):
Yasmin Curzi presented her article on the gender dimensions of information integrity, bringing a feminist perspective to the debate, and emphasizing the importance of addressing the power imbalances within digital information ecosystems. She called for policies that decentralize media monopolies and ensure greater community participation in both the creation of information and the governance of digital platforms. Yasmin also highlighted the need for platforms to engage with civil society, particularly marginalized groups, and to address the role of algorithms in promoting hate speech and disinformation.
5. Dennis Redecker:
Dennis concluded the session by sharing his comparative research on social media’s impact on human rights across 41 countries. The findings indicated that while access to information and freedom of expression have generally improved, there has been a decline in privacy and personal liberty, suggesting that social media platforms have a mixed impact on human rights. This research underscored the need for a balanced approach that both protects human rights and addresses the challenges posed by digital platforms.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways:
The session underscored the complex relationship between information integrity, digital platforms, and human rights. The speakers collectively called for a more nuanced understanding of information integrity that goes beyond the accuracy of content to encompass the broader socio-political context in which information circulates. There was a strong emphasis on the need for greater transparency and accountability from digital platforms, as well as a call for structural reforms that address the root causes of misinformation and disinformation.
Key recommendations included:
● Promoting multi-stakeholder approaches to digital governance.
● Empowering marginalized communities to take control of their digital experiences.
● Strengthening regulatory frameworks to tackle the economic models that enable disinformation.
● Addressing the power dynamics in the media and information ecosystems, with a focus on decentralization and inclusivity.
The session highlighted the urgent need for global cooperation to ensure that digital platforms respect human rights, protect information integrity, and contribute to healthy democratic discourse.