Disinformation comes in different forms – UN

MANILA, Philippines — Disinformation comes in different forms, posing the major challenge of no universally agreed definition, according to the United Nations.

A recent UN report aims to address the phenomenon of disinformation in the context of new and rapidly evolving communications landscape, due to innovative technologies, which have enabled the dissemination of unparalleled volumes of content at unprecedented speeds.

“Disinformation comes in different forms; this includes targeted operations by states, state officials, conspiracy-fed theories about health policies and vaccines, smear campaigns to undermine specific groups and persons and many others,” Assistant Secretary General for human rights and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York head Ilze Brands-Kehris.

The report stated that navigating the modern media landscapes and ensuring it advances rather than undermines human rights, international peace and security is a key challenge of the digital age.

A major challenge posed by disinformation is its lack of definition, according to Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information director and Global Network Initiative vice president Agustina del Campo.

“(It is) a broad term used to describe complex phenomena, for which there is no universally agreed definition,” Del Campo said.

In a high-level panel discussion held at the UN Human Rights Council earlier this year, participants stressed that the spread of disinformation can have a negative impact on societies, undermining a broad range of human rights.

They noted that when disinformation threatens human rights, states have a duty to take appropriate steps to address these harmful impacts.

“Disinformation, however, should not become a pretext to intimidate and harass critical voices, denigrate opponents, justify censorship, or obstruct the legitimate activities of human rights defenders and the media to access and disseminate information,” Brands-Kehris said.

“Responses to disinformation should be grounded in respect for freedom of expression,” she added.

Irene Khan, the special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, stressed that “if independent public-interest media cannot survive – let alone thrive – disinformation will flourish, journalists will be further imperiled and societies’ right to information will be undermined.”

The report described media and digital literacy initiatives to enhance the capacities of all stakeholders to identify, dispel and debunk false and misleading information as one tool to address disinformation.