United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently proposed a “Global Digital Compact” to institute international laws limiting online speech to prevent “the proliferation of hate and lies.”
“Social media platforms have helped the United Nations to engage people around the world in our pursuit of peace, dignity and human rights on a healthy planet,” he said in a press briefing on June 12. “But today, this same technology is often a source of fear, not hope. Digital platforms are being misused to subvert science and spread disinformation and hate to billions of people.”
In his remarks regarding the new policy, Guterres also referenced the “Information and Integrity on Digital Platforms” United Nations brief, indicating that the policy will provide a guideline for the coordination of global efforts against online “hate” speech.
“The proliferation of hate & lies in the digital space is causing grave global harm,” Guterres said in a statement on Twitter. “This clear & present global threat demands clear and coordinated global action. We don’t have a moment to lose.”
Breitbart reported that the Global Digital Compact includes complaints about “disinformation” and “hate speech” being linked to authoritarian state controls, hackers, criminal activity, and the business models of social media companies.
“Digital platforms should move away from business models that prioritize engagement above human rights, privacy, and safety,” the United Nations policy stated.
READ MORE: United Nations calls for ‘global guidelines’ to combat ‘disinformation’ on social media
According to The Epoch Times, the recent Global Digital Compact United Nations policy brief also condemns the criticism of international climate change policies and proposes that countries ban “disinformation” during important election cycles, claiming, “The spread of mis- and disinformation can undermine public trust in electoral institutions and the electoral process itself.”
The report provided by the secretary-general explained that any efforts to reduce the “impact” of “mis- and disinformation and hate speech” with regard to issues such as climate action, peace, justice, health, gender equality, and education, will strengthen efforts to “achieve a sustainable future and leave no one behind.”
