Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms
Within the project "Building Trust in Media in Southeast Europe: Supporting Journalism as a Public Good," funded by the EU, in collaboration with UNESCO, we have published Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms (pdf): safeguarding the freedom to expression and access to the information. These guidelines aim to protect the right to expression and access to information on digital platforms.
These Guidelines address the protection of the rights to freedom of expression and information in the context of misinformation, fake news, hate speech, and conspiracy theories. They were developed based on consultations with multiple stakeholders, during which over 10,000 comments were gathered from 134 countries. These global consultations encouraged inclusive participation, ensuring that diverse voices were heard, including those from vulnerable and marginalized groups.
The guidelines outline a set of duties, responsibilities, and roles for states, digital platforms, international organizations, civil society, media, academic and technical communities, as well as other stakeholders, to create an environment where freedom of expression and the right to access information are at the core of the process of managing digital platforms.
Building a trustworthy Internet is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders. We urge all of us to maintain an enabling environment that fosters freedom of expression and the right to information.