Unesco’s guidelines for digital platforms discussed

LAHORE:Unesco, in collaboration with Information Technology University (ITU), Lahore, and the Institute for Research Advocacy and Development (IRADA), organised a multi-stakeholder consultation to address critical issues surrounding digital media governance in Pakistan.

This initiative, part of a broader consultation series, seeks to foster dialogue on Unesco’s Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms, focusing on freedom of expression, access to information, and the regulation of online content.

The Unesco guidelines advocate for a human rights-based, multi-stakeholder approach, assigning key roles to governments, digital platforms, and civil society. These guidelines emphasise the importance of self-regulatory, co-regulatory, and statutory governance mechanisms, promoting media literacy and cultural diversity. They also offer frameworks for content moderation, risk assessment, and accountability. This consultation, the first of four planned across Pakistan’s provincial capitals, brought together representatives from academia, civil society, and digital journalists to discuss strategies for combating online misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. Participants proposed recommendations for developing a national regulatory framework that aligns with Unesco’s guidelines. These included improved content moderation, stronger stakeholder collaboration, and enhanced media literacy initiatives. The consultations aim to gather input from diverse sectors to formulate a roadmap for effective governance of digital platforms, ensuring a safer and more inclusive digital space in Pakistan.