UNESCO and media regulators form a global regulatory network

Media regulators from around the world gathered in Dubrovnik, Croatia this week at the invitation of UNESCO and Croatia. This meeting resulted in the creation of a global network of regulators, hosted by UNESCO, that will coordinate the international response to the challenges posed by digital platforms.

“In the face of global platforms, we need global responses. By creating this global network of regulators, hosted by UNESCO and already supported by participants from 124 countries, we will meet the most important challenges posed by digital technology at the scale needed. This joint action will be based on one guiding principle: the protection of freedom of speech and human rights,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.

The creation of this network is a direct response to the first ever global network Guidelines for managing digital platforms an action plan issued by UNESCO in November 2023 regarding: governments, regulators, digital businesses and citizens to define and implement sustainable and effective measures. In 2023, several major regional and global regulators urged developing consistent approaches to regulation around the world, consistent with UNESCO’s objectives of protecting freedom of expression and access to information in the context of the governance of digital platforms.

The three-day forum organized by UNESCO and the Croatian Electronic Media Agency brought together participants from 124 countries, including representatives of 87 national and regional networks of regulatory bodies, as well as digital platforms, governments, think tanks, self-regulatory bodies, electoral management bodies and civil society.

They committed to cooperate to implement the UNESCO Guidelines by co-financing: Global Regulators Forum, hosted by UNESCO, which will meet regularly with civil society to coordinate efforts to better manage digital platforms. With panel discussions and side events on countering disinformation and hate speech, protecting human rights, equipping society with media literacy, and the technical challenges of regulation, the meeting in Dubrovnik was a key first step in enabling regulators to learn from each other’s experiences and plan implementing the UNESCO Guidelines in their jurisdictions.

Fighting disinformation and hate speech on the Internet

Despite the many benefits of social media, numerous UNESCO studies have demonstrated the serious risks posed by the spread of disinformation and hate speech online, as well as new forms of harassment and violence and the deterioration of young people’s mental health.

At the same time, social media have become a daily source of information for most people, surpassing the press, radio and television. In November 2023, UNESCO revealed its findings: opinion survey commissioned by IPSOS consisting of 8,000 people in 16 countries in connection with the conduct of the 2024 elections, representing all regions of the world.

A majority of 87 percent of respondents were concerned disinformation would have a serious impact on the upcoming elections in their country, and 67 percent have encountered hate speech on social media. Nearly 9 in 10 (89 percent) of respondents agreed that “governments and regulators should be able to require social media platforms to implement trust and security measures during election campaigns to protect election integrity.”

UNESCO Guidelines for managing digital platforms are intended to prevent these threats. They was the result of a consultation that received over 10,000 comments from interested parties.