United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has warned that the proliferation of hate speeches and lies in the digital space, saying the world must address the present grave global harm caused by online mis- and disinformation.
Guterres gave the warning at the launch of a report into information integrity on digital platforms in New York, raising alarm over the potential threat posed by the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence to already damaged digital technologies.
The UN Scribe stated that digital platforms have brought many benefits, supporting communities in times of crisis and struggle, elevating marginalized voices and helping to mobilise global movements for racial justice and gender equality.
According to him, they help the organisation to engage people around the world in pursuit of peace, dignity and human rights on a healthy planet, yet, these same digital platforms are being misused to subvert science and spread disinformation to billions of people.
“This presents a global threat that demands coordinated international action to make the digital space safer and more inclusive while vigorously protecting human rights and not to fuel conflict, threaten democracy, human rights, and climate action.”
He maintained that the existing technical companies have done far too little, too late to prevent their platforms from contributing to the spread of violence and hatred, while governments have sometimes resorted to drastic measures, such as blanket internet shutdowns and bans.
“The policy brief puts forward the framework for a concerted global response through a Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms, outlining potential guardrails to contain this runaway threat while safeguarding freedom of expression and information, ” he added.
Guterres, however, said the briefs are intended to inform discussions ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals Summit in September, marking the midpoint towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and the related Summit of the future next year.
Mehvish Hussain, Executive Editor, BBC News said: “The way audiences are seeking news is evolvingrammes.”
