Widespread Concern Over Online Disinformation Prompts UNESCO's Call for Global Regulation

In response to growing global concerns over the impact of online disinformation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is addressing the issue by advocating for effective regulation. A recent global survey commissioned by UNESCO revealed that more than 85% of people are worried about the consequences of online disinformation, with 87% believing it has already negatively affected their country's politics.

The organization presented a "governance blueprint" aimed at governments, regulators, and online platforms to address the growing threat of online disinformation. The report was introduced alongside a survey conducted by pollster Ipsos, which involved 8,000 participants across 16 countries preparing for national elections in the coming year, involving a total of 2.5 billion voters.

Key findings from the survey included the fact that 56% of internet users primarily obtain their news from social media, surpassing television (44%) and media websites (29%). Social media emerged as the primary news source in almost every country, despite lower trust levels in the information it provides compared to traditional media.

Among the respondents, 68% believed that social media was the platform where fake news was most rampant, with 38% citing messaging apps. Concerns about disinformation's influence were widespread, with 85% expressing worry, and 87% believing it had significantly impacted their national political landscape, a factor expected to play a role in the 2024 elections.

Hate speech was also identified as a prevalent issue, with 67% of participants reporting having encountered it online, rising to 74% among those under 35. The majority of respondents (88%) called for government and regulatory intervention, and 90% expected online platforms to take action.

Notably, the survey found a strong desire for vigilance during election campaigns, with 89% advocating government and regulatory involvement, and 91% expecting social media platforms to be particularly attentive during democratic processes.

UNESCO's "governance blueprint" is rooted in seven key principles developed over an 18-month period, drawing from more than 10,000 contributions from 134 countries. These principles include the establishment of independent and well-resourced public regulators worldwide, effective content moderation by online platforms, transparency in algorithm use, and enhanced measures during elections and crises to address online disinformation.

UNESCO noted that more than 50 countries are already regulating social media but emphasized the need for compliance with international free speech and human rights standards. The organization aims to facilitate the adoption of consistent global governance frameworks through a World Conference of Regulators in 2024.