Human Rights Council Hears that Digital, Media and Information Literacy Programmes Should be Considered an Integral Part of Education Efforts Given their Importance for the Exercise of Rights in the Digital Age

AFTERNOON 3 July 2023

Council Also Hears that the Adverse Effects of Climate Change, including on the Right to Food, Threaten the Full and Effective Enjoyment of All Human Rights

The Human Rights Council this afternoon held a panel discussion on the role of digital, media and information literacy in the promotion and enjoyment of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. It also started an interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General’s report on the adverse impact of climate change on the full realisation of the right to food.

Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, in an opening statement, said it was important to note how much digital, media and information literacy empowered individuals, as it allowed the effective exercise of a wide range of human rights, including the rights to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While digital and online spaces formed an integral part of the lives of the majority of the global population, all should be mindful that a large proportion of the globe still lacked such access. Bridging this divide and finding ways to alleviate its consequences should be a priority for all States and other stakeholders.

Ms. Al- Nashif said the promotion of digital, media and information literacy must form part of broader commitments by States to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, and by business entities to adhere to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Given their importance for the exercise of rights in the digital age, digital, media and information literacy programmes should be considered an integral part of education efforts.

Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, also in an opening statement, said media and information literacy was essential for individuals to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression effectively. It enabled access to diverse information, cultivated critical thinking, facilitated active engagement in public discourse, combatted misinformation, and safeguarded privacy and security, while respecting the rights of others. Together, the international community could ensure that media and information literacy became an integral part of everyone’s lives, empowering all to think critically, promote digital well-being, and foster a more inclusive and responsible global digital community.

The Council also heard statements by four panellists.

Irene Kahn, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, said freedom of expression in the digital age was threatened by online disinformation, misinformation, hate speech and gender-based violence, which had serious consequences for human rights, democracy and sustainable development, as well as public trust in the integrity of information. Online attacks, disinformation and misinformation disempowered individuals, robbing them of their autonomy to search, receive and share information and form opinions. In order to face the challenges of an increasingly digitalised world, it was incumbent on States, as duty bearers, to empower the right-sholders through a multi stakeholder approach involving communities, civil society and companies, and investing in digital literacy front and centre.

Sarah Kaddu, President of the Uganda Library and Information Association and Chair of the International Steering Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Media and Information Literacy Alliance, said with the advent of digital media, democratisation had been realised not only for access to information but also for people to create and disseminate information freely. The right to freedom of opinion and expression

was designed in the 2005 Constitution of Uganda. There were also other laws that had been made to support or curtail freedom of expression and access to information in Uganda. There was a need to set up more mechanisms for reporting incidents of violations of the right to freedom of information and expression and protection of offenders.

Aymen Zaghdoudi, Senior Policy Counsel for the Middle East and North Africa Region of Access Now, said digital, media and information literacy gave individuals the necessary tools to understand this rapidly developing and complicated era of information, and teach them how to safely use new technologies and make use of their tremendous potential; it also presented an effective tool to empower people and strengthen their understanding of traditional media and the functioning of online platforms. States should, among other things, develop digital, media and information literacy strategies based on human rights, gender and participatory approach; and introduce new legislations in conformity with international standards. Tech companies should support the research and development of initiatives by, particularly, being transparent and providing the necessary data to conduct and design effective strategy.

Daniel Dessein, President of the Asociación de Entidades Periodísticas Argentinas, said the digital ecosystem was polluted with fake news, hate speech and biased views. Journalism was an antidote to decontaminate it and restore vigour to the public conversation. There was no full citizenship or democracy without adequate knowledge of fundamental institutional issues and informed and free participation in public life by members of a community. It was necessary to strengthen awareness of the pollution of the digital ecosystem, in line with what was done with the environmental crisis. One of the factors affecting media engagement with media literacy programmes in Latin America was the use of media literacy in some governments with intolerant biases. The main actors of the Internet, due to their business model, generated fertile ground for the proliferation of disinformation and fragmentation in societies. Rigorous and quality journalism was the tool to decontaminate the Internet.

In the ensuing discussion, speakers said access to the Internet was an indispensable enabler of a broad range of human rights. An open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure Internet for all facilitated individuals’ enjoyment of their rights, including freedoms of expression, opinion, and peaceful assembly; and the rights to education and to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. Internet shutdowns were a growing concern worldwide, as some governments took measures to disrupt access to the Internet and telecommunications, often in the context of political protests, electoral processes, crises, or armed conflicts. Disinformation and misinformation were not only on the rise but were also growing in scope and sophistication. As people worldwide increasingly relied on the Internet to connect, learn, and consume news, it was imperative to develop digital, media and information literacy programmes and activities that effectively addressed these challenges.

Speaking in the discussion were Austria on behalf of a group of countries, European Union on behalf of a group of countries, Denmark on behalf of a group of countries, European Union, Republic of Korea, Israel, Armenia, Greece, Sudan, Russian Federation, Romania, India, Benin, Botswana, Ukraine, South Africa, Malaysia, Maldives, United States, Namibia, Bolivia, Tanzania, Cuba and Brazil.

Also speaking were World Jewish Congress, Article 19, International Humanitarian Society for Development Without Borders, Terre Des Hommes Federation Internationale, Institut International pour les Droits et le Développement, and Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety.

The Council also started an interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General’s report on the adverse impact of climate change on the full realisation of the right to food.

Peggy Hicks, Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the adverse effects of climate change, including on the right to food, threatened the full and effective enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The majority of climate change-related disasters hit countries already experiencing food insecurity in which social protection systems often lacked the capacity to respond to climate shocks. The report presented a transition to sustainable food systems, including agro-ecological approaches, as a pathway to simultaneously address the climate crisis and safeguard the right to food. That required a transformation of trade regimes, the end of harmful agricultural subsidies, and the promotion of healthy diets and locally grown food varieties. For climate action to effectively contribute to upholding the right to food, it must place rights-holders at its centre, ensuring their effective contribution to planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

In the ensuing discussion, speakers welcomed the report of the Secretary-General and noted the good practices and recommendations presented. Climate change was not just an environmental concern, but a major driver of humanitarian crises affecting the lives and well-being of millions of people. It was the responsibility of the international community to ensure that all people, regardless of their geographic location, had access to affordable, adequate and nutritious food. Speakers underscored that the climate crisis was a matter of utmost urgency that the international community needed to tackle collectively. Financial aid, technical assistance, technology transfer and training programmes could help build resilience, improve farming and fishing practices, and promote sustainable livelihoods. It was imperative to guarantee fair and secure access to food.

Speaking in the discussion were Philippines on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Dominican Republic on behalf of a group of countries, Pakistan on behalf of a group of countries, European Union on behalf of a group of countries, United Arab Emirate on behalf of a group of countries, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Samoa, Japan, Costa Rica, Egypt, Israel, Luxembourg, United Nations Children's Fund, Armenia, Sovereign Order of Malta, Mauritius, United States, France, Maldives, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Ireland, Togo, Zimbabwe, Namibia, India, Malawi, Tanzania, China, Gambia, Switzerland, Chile, Marshall Islands, Georgia, Cuba and Russian Federation.

Speaking in exercise of right of reply were Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-third regular session can be found here.

The next meeting of the Council will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 4 July, when it will continue the interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General’s report on the adverse impact of climate change on the full realisation of the right to food, followed by an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons.

Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Secretary-General on the Adverse Impact of Climate Change on the Full Realisation of the Right to Food

Report

The Council has before it the Secretary-General’s report on Climate change and the right to food (A/HRC/53/47).

Presentation of Report

PEGGY HICKS, Director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said every day, climate change negatively impacted the full and effective realisation of the right to food for millions of people. Extreme weather events and natural hazards, drought and floods were wiping out crops and destroying livelihoods both on land and in water. Rising sea levels led to displacement and declining crop yields to malnutrition and hunger. At the same time, industrial food systems were significant greenhouse gas emitters which contributed to climate change in a vicious cycle that could only be ended through a transition to sustainable food systems.

The adverse effects of climate change, including on the right to food, threatened the full and effective enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The majority of climate change-related disasters hit countries already experiencing food insecurity in which social protection systems often lacked the capacity to respond to climate shocks. The report presented a transition to sustainable food systems, including agro-ecological approaches, as a pathway to simultaneously address the climate crisis and safeguard the right to food. That required a transformation of trade regimes, the end of harmful agricultural subsidies, and the promotion of healthy diets and locally grown food varieties. Fiscal policies and subsidies that promoted healthy and sustainable food rather than harmful agricultural approaches and carbon-intensive commodities could contribute to food systems transformation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Creating low-impact, healthy and resilient food systems also entailed a reduction of food loss and waste.

For climate action to effectively contribute to upholding the right to food, it must place rights-holders at its centre, ensuring their effective contribution to planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Recognising and respecting local and traditional knowledge, including that held by indigenous peoples, was key to ensuring the agency of those most affected by the climate emergency. Better promoting and protecting the rights of environmental human rights defenders was crucial in this regard – including their right to participate in climate-related decision-making. People needed to be at the heart of a new, circular economy, in which locally produced and healthy food was accessible to all, consumers had the information and resources they needed to prioritise sustainability, and people around the world, including indigenous peoples, women, peasants, small-scale farmers and fishers had equitable access to markets. States must commit to and implement urgent and ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as efforts to address loss and damage.

Discussion

In the discussion, a number of speakers welcomed the report of the Secretary-General and noted the good practices and recommendations presented. The constructive discussion today was important, as was the increasing awareness among Council members on the importance of human rights, sustainable development, and the collective response to global climate challenges. It was alarming that climate change would put another 80 million people at risk of hunger by the middle of the century. Climate change was not just an environmental concern, but a major driver of humanitarian crises affecting the lives and well-being of millions of people. It was the responsibility of the international community to ensure that all people, regardless of their geographic location, had access to affordable, adequate and nutritious food.

Several speakers noted that small island developing States, despite only generating a tiny percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions, were the most affected and faced unique challenges in the face of climate change. The cost of living in these areas had further increased, as well as food insecurity. Sustainable fishing and the loss of biodiversity were a few of the key concerns affecting local food production systems, and livelihood resilience. Sea-level rise threatened the existence of small island developing States, and rising temperatures led to droughts, heat waves and erratic rainfall patterns. These changes hindered crop yields, reduced the availability of arable land, affected fisheries, and had implications on food production.

Some speakers underscored that the climate crisis was a matter of utmost urgency that the international community needed to tackle collectively. A crucial element to advance this agenda was to ensure transparent, inclusive, safe and meaningful participation and leadership by civil society in international climate discussions. Financial aid, technical assistance, technology transfer and training programmes could help build resilience, improve farming and fishing practices, and promote sustainable livelihoods. It was imperative to guarantee fair and secure access to food, including through traditional fishing practices and conservation efforts, while equally encouraging sustainable production systems that reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Collaborative research and knowledge sharing between nations was also crucial to finding innovative solutions and strategies to address today's challenges. The climate crisis required immediate accelerated action and strengthened ambition, including to deliver on global commitments and fully integrate human rights into the response. The voices of those in vulnerable situations needed to be able to contribute to all international climate discussions. States had an obligation to ensure everyone was free from hunger and could enjoy the right to food.

During the discussion, speakers outlined national strategies taken to address climate change and its subsequent adverse impact on the right to food. These included creating a plan for zero carbon; working with indigenous communities to preserve the environment; strengthening food policy and regulatory systems to facilitate a shift towards sustainable consumption patterns; building climate resilience, and diversifying agricultural practices and production; revitalising the use of traditional and indigenous knowledge in sustainable consumption practices; reducing greenhouse gas emissions significantly by 2030; and projects supporting the sustainability of oceans, among others.

Panel Discussion on the Role of Digital, Media and Information Literacy in the Promotion and Enjoyment of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression

Opening Statements

NADA AL-NASHIF, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, said it was important to note how much digital, media and information literacy empowered individuals, as it allowed the effective exercise of a wide range of human rights, including the rights to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While digital and online spaces formed an integral part of the lives of the majority of the global population, all should be mindful that a large proportion of the globe still lacked such access. This digital divide between and within countries continued to exacerbate inequalities, with women, girls, and those that were least privileged suffering its consequences. It affected their ability to receive vital information, and access educational resources, digital government services, and opportunities for socio-economic development. Bridging this divide and finding ways to alleviate its consequences should be a priority for all States and other stakeholders.

Digital technologies provided opportunities for a greater plurality of voices to be visible and influence the public debate. Digital and online spaces also allowed individuals unprecedented access to information sources and ideas. The Office of the High Commissioner had repeatedly reported on Internet shutdowns, undue content restrictions, digital surveillance, and other restrictions on the freedom of expression. This showed that the promotion of digital, media and information literacy must form part of broader commitments by States to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, and by business entities to adhere to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Given their importance for the exercise of rights in the digital age, digital, media and information literacy programmes should be considered an integral part of education efforts. Actors other than States could also play important and positive roles to enhance digital, media and information literacy. These included the advocacy and outreach efforts of regional organizations, business entities, the media, educational institutions, and civil society actors. Such efforts should be supported to ensure that this pillar of democratic, transparent, accountable and inclusive societies could be harnessed for meaningful participation by all.

TAWFIK JELASSI, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, said media and information literacy was essential for individuals to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression effectively. It enabled access to diverse information, cultivated critical thinking, facilitated active engagement in public discourse, combatted misinformation, and safeguarded privacy and security, while respecting the rights of others. Key aspects of media and information literacy and digital competencies included understanding the functions of various media platforms and digital technologies in democratic societies; evaluating the credibility, accuracy, and quality of information sources; and developing the skill to use information and digital technologies for positive purposes.

One of the primary works that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization had been undertaking since last year was a series of multi-stakeholder consultations aimed at drafting guidelines for regulating digital platforms, while safeguarding freedom of expression. A key recommendation of the guidelines was to ensure media and information literacy to empower users of digital platforms. The draft guidelines called for Member States to promote media and information literacy, as well as online safety education. This included disseminating knowledge about rights such as freedom of expression, privacy and equality, and also knowledge of available means of redress.

The work of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in media and information literacy spanned several decades and more than 100 countries had benefited from training led by the Organization and its partners. To facilitate access to resources, they had also developed massive open online courses on media and information literacy for policymakers, learners, and educators. Key lessons learned included that it was essential to go beyond individual training workshops and strengthen institutional capacity. Furthermore, national policy and strategy frameworks were necessary to sustain media and information literacy, and integrate it into educational curricula at all levels, to build critical thinking among learners and citizens. Together, it could be ensured that media and information literacy became an integral part of everyone’s lives, empowering all to think critically, promote digital well-being and foster a more inclusive and responsible global digital community.

Statements by Panellists

IRENE KAHN, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, said digital technology had brought both opportunities and challenges. However, the benefits were not equally shared as over 2.7 billion people had no access to the Internet, and among those who did have access, a majority did not enjoy meaningful access. Furthermore, freedom of expression in the digital age was threatened by online disinformation, misinformation, hate speech and gender-based violence, which had serious consequences for human rights, democracy and sustainable development, as well as public trust in the integrity of information.

Online attacks, disinformation and misinformation disempowered individuals, robbing them of their autonomy to search, receive and share information and form opinions. Digital literacy empowered rights holders, built resilience against the manipulation of information, and when coupled with proper access to the Internet, enabled people to claim their right to freedom of expression, safely and meaningfully in digital spaces. Many States had introduced broad, vaguely defined laws to tackle disinformation by criminalising, chilling or censoring speech online, which had done little to deter disinformation and much to restrict legitimate expression by journalists, human rights defenders and political opponents. On the side of companies, while some had tried to improve content moderation, the overall response of the sector had been reactive, inadequate and opaque, ignoring the human rights problems inherent in their business models and practices.

In some countries, civil society was taking the lead in introducing digital, media and information literacy at the level of communities and among media workers. A multistakeholder approach involving States, private sector civil society and academia was needed to further develop guidance for digital literacy at the international level. Governments should make digital literacy an indicator of the Sustainable Development Goals on education and gender equality, and more attention should be given to digital inclusion so that people in developing countries who were now totally dependent on social media platforms and messaging applications for connectivity could have meaningful, free, open, interoperable, reliable and secure access to the Internet. In order to face the challenges of an increasingly digitalised world, it was incumbent on States, as duty bearers, to empower the rights-holders through a multi stakeholder approach involving communities, civil society and companies, and investing in digital literacy front and centre.

SARAH KADDU, President of the Uganda Library and Information Association and Chair of the International Steering Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Media and Information Literacy Alliance, said she was the immediate past President of the Uganda Library and Information Association. This was a national association established to bring information professionals together to build capacity, share opportunities, network and share best practices, and advocate for a friendly working environment among members. With the advent of digital media, democratisation had been realised not only for access to information but also for people to create and disseminate information freely. The right to freedom of opinion and expression was designed in the 2005 Constitution of Uganda. There were also other laws that had been made to support or curtail freedom of expression and access to information in Uganda. For instance, recently, the Parliament of Uganda amended the computer misuse act, which many people thought was draconian. Activists had gone to court and struck the draconian provisions from the act.

The Uganda Library and Information Association supported laws and policies such as the new computer misuse act, which sustained access to information and freedom of expression. There were efforts to promote digital literacy being conducted by several of the Association’s members. The National Commission for the United Nations Environmental, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Uganda took keen interest in defending the rights of those who had offended the law on computer misuse, including bloggers, journalists, writers, among others. In Uganda, data and Internet bandwidth attracted high costs which hindered access to information and freedom of expression. The Government of Uganda needed to work towards measures to reduce the costs of data. There was a need to set up more mechanisms for reporting incidents of violations of rights to freedom of information and expression and protection of offenders

AYMEN ZAGHDOUDI, Senior Policy Counsel for the Middle East and North Africa Region of Access Now, said digital, media and information literacy were to freedom of expression what primary schools were to science, giving individuals the necessary tools to understand this rapidly developing and complicated era of information, and teach them how to safely use new technologies and make use of their tremendous potential, and presenting an effective tool to empower people and strengthen their understanding of traditional media and the functioning of online platforms.

Digital, media and information literacy strategies should be designed based on two fundamental pillars: first, the substantive component, educating on the main freedom of expression principles to provide individuals with the necessary knowledge to identify and understand different types of hate speech and disinformation; second, the technical component, explaining the dynamics and interaction between the various actors in the digital sphere. Digital, media and information literacy were important to enable individuals not only to critically receive and share information but also to protect their digital lives. Preventive and positive measures could be effective to tackle harmful content instead of using repressive measures. Further, raising awareness about these issues was in itself part of digital, media and information literacy. On the other hand, it was important to emphasise that digital, media and information literacy could not address all the challenges: it was only one element among many others.

States should develop digital, media and information literacy strategy based on human rights, gender and participatory approach; guarantee the accessibility of all individuals and groups to digital, media and information literacy resources; introduce new legislations in conformity with international standards; and avoid statements that contained dis/mis/mal-information and should, instead spread values of tolerance, pluralism, and broadmindedness. Tech companies should support the research and development of digital, media and information literacy initiatives by, particularly, being transparent and providing the necessary data to conduct and design effective digital, media and information literacy strategy; and creating their own digital, media and information literacy strategy to ensure that users could both easily access and understand any policies and practices, and be aware of any changes that might affect their rights.

DANIEL DESSEIN, President of the Asociación de Entidades Periodísticas Argentinas, said journalistic media could play a decisive role in the effectiveness of media and digital literacy programmes. The digital ecosystem was polluted with fake news, hate speech and biased views. Journalism was an antidote to decontaminate it and restore vigour to the public conversation. There was no full citizenship or democracy without adequate knowledge of fundamental institutional issues and informed and free participation in public life by members of a community. The Association brought together around 200 media within Argentina and it promoted projects and activities related to media literacy, guides for journalists, talks in schools and other institutions, and debates and competitions.

In the talks organised between journalists and editors with students, judges, academics, politicians and representatives of civil society, the speakers, in addition to sharing strategies to identify quality sources and detect information fraud, needed to share details of the journalistic kitchen. They spoke of how information was filtered, separating the true from the false, the accessory from the main, with extreme care in the dissemination of content for the damages that this could generate, at the speed demanded by the information demand of the audiences. In addition to sharing these experiences, the Association encouraged journalists and editors to show the behind the scenes of their work in the media themselves. The Association promoted initiatives to combat disinformation, backed by talks linked to media literacy. The most recent was the content authenticity initiative that was supported by media, non-governmental organizations, and technology companies; it attacked the dissemination of fake photographs and videos.

One of the major challenges was presented by artificial intelligence, which was the subject of multiple public discussions in the Association, many of them focused on the effects it could have on disinformation. Technology platforms had a major responsibility in this area. Advertising campaigns were a key resource to boost media literacy, emphasising the relevance of acquiring skills for intervention on the Internet. It was necessary to strengthen awareness of the pollution of the digital ecosystem, in line with what was done with the environmental crisis. One of the factors affecting media engagement with media literacy programmes in Latin America was the use of media literacy in some governments with intolerant biases. These programmes, in some cases, served as an excuse for State agencies to promote anti-journalistic views, suggesting that it was the media that misinformed society. Rigorous and quality journalism was the tool to decontaminate the Internet.

Discussion

In the ensuing discussion, some speakers said that access to the Internet was an indispensable enabler of a broad range of human rights. An open, free, global, interoperable, reliable and secure Internet for all facilitated individuals’ enjoyment of their rights, including freedoms of expression, opinion, and peaceful assembly; and the rights to education and to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. Internet shutdowns were a growing concern worldwide, as some governments took measures to disrupt access to Internet and telecommunications, often in the context of political protests, electoral processes, crises, or armed conflicts. Shutdowns and network disruptions negatively affected the ability of journalists, media workers, and civil society, including human rights defenders, to operate; undermined access to critical support and protection, including for women and girls; and hampered humanitarian assistance.

Furthermore, Internet shutdowns severely hindered the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, while deepening digital divides. Internet shutdowns hampered businesses and customers; they also disrupted trade, investment and financial transactions, and the delivery of services and remittances. States should foster an open Internet and not impose shutdowns, restricting civic space online. Digital technologies were also often used to violate and abuse human rights through, amongst others, restricting access to the Internet, surveillance, algorithmic bias, spreading disinformation, and incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

Disinformation and misinformation were not only on the rise but were also growing in scope and sophistication. As people worldwide increasingly relied on the Internet to connect, learn and consume news, it was imperative to develop digital, media and information literacy programmes and activities that effectively addressed these challenges. Promoting digital, media and information literacy was a collective responsibility that involved various stakeholders, including States, digital service providers, and civil society. Strengthening digital, media and information literacy was crucial for upholding the enjoyment of human rights, in particular the right to freedom of opinion and expression, in the digital era.

The international community needed to fortify the right of individuals to seek, receive, and impart information, in order to navigate through information online and offline in a free, safe, and responsible manner. The fast pace of digital technology developments necessitated proactive and forward-looking initiatives by States, civil society, and technology companies. By integrating digital, media and information literacy into educational curricula and adult training programmes, individuals were empowered to become critical thinkers, responsible digital citizens, and active participants in the digital age.

Among the questions raised were: could the panellists provide examples of good practices of digital, media and information literacy programmes that had been co-developed between States, media companies, and civil society and their impact; could they share examples of successful initiatives in digital, media and information literacy that had effectively countered hate speech and other intolerances online; could they reflect on effective ways in which children and young people could be taught to foster a critical attitude towards digital technologies and media content, as well as about their rights to freedom of opinion and expression; and what effective measures could be taken by States to ensure that freedom of opinion and expression in the digital era did not erode the pillars of a functioning society.

Concluding Remarks

SARAH KADDU, President of the Uganda Library and Information Association and Chair of the International Steering Committee of the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization Media and Information Literacy Alliance, said to support digital freedom and expression, there was a need for digital literacy skills, and to raise awareness about digital issues. There was a need to bridge the digital divide, and for the digital structure to become an enabling environment

AYMEN ZAGHDOUDI, Senior Policy Counsel for the Middle East and North Africa Region of Access Now, said on best practices, his personal experience in Tunisia was where the Ministry of Education, in partnership with a civil society organization, provided training to students at primary schools on digital, media and information literacy. Content was being provided at the local level. However, it could have a negative effect if based on discriminatory national laws. It was important for the population to understand what freedom of education was, and to amend current repressive legislation.

DANIEL DESSEIN, President of the Asociación de Entidades Periodísticas Argentinas, said polarisation in the digital field was a global problem and therefore required a global solution. The United Nations Environmental, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s guide was one of the best and broadest tools available to States, civil society and media for combatting disinformation. The guide for the regulation of platforms was also important in this regard. State bodies needed to intervene in certain contexts, such as when rules and regulations were not respected. It was important that media constraints did not limit legitimate journalism.

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