Today's Edition
NEW YORK (WAM)
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday launched a set of United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity that calls for "an information environment that champions human rights and a sustainable future."
In remarks at a press conference to launch the Principles, Guterres said the five principles - societal trust and resilience; independent, free, and pluralistic media; healthy incentives; transparency and research; and public empowerment - are based on an overriding vision of a more humane information ecosystem.
Guterres warned that "the spread of hatred and lies online is causing grave harm to our world."
He added that these principles champion human rights and a sustainable future and provide a solid foundation for sustainable, inclusive development, climate action, democracy, and peace.
"Threats to information integrity are not new, but they are proliferating and expanding with unprecedented speed on digital platforms, supercharged by AI technologies," he noted.
The United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity are the result of broad consultations with Member States, youth leaders, academia, civil society, the private sector, including tech companies, and the media.
The UN chief urged, "Commit to creating and maintaining a free, viable, independent, and plural media landscape, guarantee strong protections for journalists, and ensure regulations uphold human rights.
"These principles support parents, anxious for their children; young people, whose future relies on information integrity; civil society and academia, who are pushing for change; and public interest media, striving to convey reliable and accurate information."
