“Allowing hate speech and harmful content online has real-world consequences. Regulating this content is not censorship,” Volker Türk wrote about X.
In a longer LinkedIn post on the same theme, Mr. Türk argued that calling efforts to create safe online spaces “censorship…ignore[s] the fact that an unregulated space means some people are silenced – especially those whose voices are often marginalized. At the same time, allowing hate online limits free speech and can lead to real-world harm.
Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg announced last Tuesday that the company would cease its fact-checking program in the United States, saying fact-checkers run the risk of appearing politically biased as self-regulation leads to too much censorship . He called for a return to freer expression on Meta’s platforms, adding that user trust had been eroded.
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has reportedly rejected Mr Zuckerberg’s “false” argument and warned it could cause harm.
Digital potential
Mr. Türk highlighted that social media platforms have a tremendous capacity to shape society in a positive way by connecting people. But they can also fuel conflicts, incite hatred and threaten the security of populations.
“At its best, social media is a place where people with divergent points of view can exchange views, or even always agree.“, he said.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said he would continue to call for “accountability and governance in the digital space, consistent with human rights”. This safeguards public discourse, builds trust and protects the dignity of all.
Asked about the impact of Meta’s recent decisions on UN social media policy, a UN spokesperson in Geneva stressed that the world organization continually monitors and evaluates the online space.
“It remains crucial for us to be present with factual informationsaid Michele Zaccheo, head of television, radio and webcasting. He added that the UN remained committed to providing evidence-based information on social media platforms.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality, science-based health information, maintaining a presence on various online platforms.
In response to the growing crisis fueled by digital disinformation, the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DCG) is actively working to combat false narratives.
This includes developing a code of conduct for information integrity, known as the United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity.
