Description: Technology, especially the Internet has dramatically revolutionized many facets of our lives, both social and economic. It has not only driven innovation by ushering in new products and service, but also improved productivity in almost all economic sectors. For an average citizen, the internet has facilitated easier communication, enabled better engagement opportunities and helped in empowering them, it has democratised access to information, streamlined government service delivery and opened new markets for Indian businesses.
Social media and messaging platforms, which are widely used by people across the globe as a new mode of communication, owing to their ability to enable rapid and extensive exchange of information is a double edged sword. While social media and messaging platforms have helped civil society to mobilize people for a cause, there are also concerns alleging the disproportionate role of such platforms in influencing elections, including spreading false news, hate speech, religious, political and social misinformation. In fact, there have been reports of mob lynching and killing of people based on false news and such incidents have not only raised the alarm bells for law enforcement agencies, Government, but also civil societies and other stakeholder communities, thereby leading to a trust deficit online.
The proposed BOF will be an interactive session. During the discussion we aim to outline the major trends, initiatives taken so far by the online platforms, governments and other grass root communities and discuss on the best practices that can be adopted by different stakeholders to combat the challenge of misinformation. Participants will be encouraged to share their concerns on the adequacy of the initiatives taken by different stakeholders and propose new models and solutions that will help enable sharing of information responsibly and rebuild trust of people on the internet.
Draft Agenda
1. Introduction to the subject by the moderator: 5 mins
2. Speakers share their country perspective: 20 mins -Current challenges -Adequacy of initiatives adopted -Best practices observed and lessons learnt -What more needs to be done
3. Open community discussion: 20 min
4. Summarizing the session and way ahead 5 mins
Expected Outcomes: At the end of the session we expect participants to get an insight on the,
• Existing challenges of misinformation and its manifestation in different regions
o Identify the common challenges across Global nations
o Emphasize the unique regional or national challenges if any.
• Best practices adopted by certain Intermediaries, nations or regions to overcome the challenges
• Areas which need reforms along with suggestions;
o Policy related to, improving content regulation and intermediary liabilities
o Engagement of other stakeholders
o Capacility Building initiatives
o Others
The participants of the session would subsequently be shared a summary report detailing the issues, best practices identified and recommendations based on the discussion for curbing misinformation and building trust back on the internet.