Relevance to Internet Governance
Internet Governance is, by definition, a multistakeholder endeavor. However, within the different aggregated groups normally joining the discussion (governments, for instance) we also have a multiplicity of other players that are relevant to the debate, but quite often aren’t part of it.
Electoral authorities, electoral observers (from CSOs and from IGOs), and journalists have a key role to play in tackling disinformation while defending freedom of expression and access to information during times of election, and building trust within the population in order to ensure free and fair elections. This session, which focuses on elections in times of disinformation, seeks to bring their perspective to the Internet Governance arena.
Relevance to Theme
A free, independent and pluralistic media landscape plays an important role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 16.10 on peace, justice and strong institutions. It is also crucial to democracy, particularly during electoral periods. Without a free press, there can be no democracy.
Keeping trust in the election process – and the information being shared during this process - is a fundamental prerequisite to ensure free, fair, and safe elections. Therefore, this workshop underlines the essential role of the media and electoral stakeholders in ensuring trust during the election process, and the need to tackle disinformation through such means as monitoring and fact checking, journalistic investigation, actions by online platforms including curatorial and technical responses, and through promoting media and information literacy.