IGF 2019 WS #268 Coping in an era of misinformation: Who is Responsible?

Relevance to Theme: Various research done by organisations including the Internet Society, point that most internet users are losing their trust on the Internet. Misinformation, fake news, hate speech, issues of data privacy of users, the role of intermediaries are some of the greatest contributors to this dwindling trust deficit. The BOF is aimed at discussing the issue of misinformation and its impact on nations and individuals, discussing the steps being taken as countermeasures so far; looking past the problems of misinformation in this digital age to coming up with ideas and solutions to counter the issue. The session also seeks to give participants an opportunity to share and explore their current concerns, discuss adequacy of the regulations being introduced by governments, steps taken by intermediaries and to think of new models and solutions that will help us create new ways of sharing information that is authentic and does not cause widespread harm to people in the future and helps building back the trust and accountability.

Key issues to be discussed:

1. The current challenge of misinformation, its manifestation and affects in different nations. The areas of convergence and divergence between nations in terms of the type of misinformation being circulated, the reaction to such misinformation and its effects.

2. Adequacy of the initiatives taken so far by different stakeholders especially the intermediaries, regulations introduced by governments to curb spread of misinformation globally and within nations. What more needs to be done.

3. Deliberate on Best practices and approaches which may be adopted to counter misinformation being spread through messaging platforms and social media; possible areas of regional cooperation.

4. Deliberate on the role of the multistakeholder process other than Governments and intermediaries in the arena of content regulation.

Relevance to Internet Governance: The Internet has ushered in new modes of communication and instant sharing of news. The compulsion of people to be up to date with news each minute has accelerated a surge in the spread of misinformation or ‘fake news'.The elections of the US and Brazil have highlighted challenges in the flow of information. Creators of ‘misinformation’ are using the internet to operate, disseminate and influence communities, leading to even loss of lives. In India there have been incidents of mob lynching and killing of people based on false news.

Misinformation, fake news or disinformation has become a much discussed internet governance topic across the world, leading to discussions on intermediary liability, content regulation, role of governments etc.

Presently to mitigate the effects of misinformation, social media and messaging platforms have initiated several steps. Various governments across the globe such as EU, India, Nepal, Indonesia, New Zealand to name a few are drafting or contemplating new regulations for intermediaries to curb misinformation, that have raised concerns on the openness of the internet and freedom of speech.

Through the proposed BOF session we seek to understand whether the initiatives taken so far are adequate, while highlighting successful initiatives or what more needs to be done. Stakeholders from Asia: India, Nepal, Pacific Island, Europe, Latin America and Africa, would be invited to share the ongoing initiatives being taken by their governments, business and stakeholders to combat with the issue of misinformation; identify the best practices and then discuss if they can be replicated elsewhere to rebuild the trust over internet. The participants would also be discussing the role of the multistakeholder process other than Governments and intermediaries in the arena of content regulation.