The role of policymakers and regulators in promoting a rights-based approach to the regulation of digital platforms

Registration to the 22-23 February events is done separately. Please register here

The purpose of this side-event is two-fold: to identify the role and responsibility that policymakers and parliaments have in helping ensure that digital platforms are used and regulated in a human rights-compliant manner; and to identify areas for regulatory capacity-building based on the AI and Digital Transformation Competency Framework to Policymakers and Regulators.  The side-event will also aim to share relevant experiences and good practices in this area and offer an opportunity for policymakers, regulators and members of parliament to provide their perspective on the regulatory framework for the digital platforms prepared by UNESCO.

Introductory remarks

• Duarte Pacheco, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
• Guilherme Canela, Chief of Communication and Information – Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists Section, UNESCO

14:15 - Session I: Overview of the UNESCO’s issue brief on the “misuse” of the judicial system to attack freedom of expression: trends, challenges and responses  

The UNESCO Issue brief addresses the current trends, challenges, and responses worldwide on defamation and related laws, with a particular focus on abusive legal practices such as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPS). The session will examine the brief’s recommendations addressed to Member States and legislators, which aim to decriminalize defamation and initiate legislative reforms of defamation laws in line with international standards. 

• Guilherme Canela, Chief of Communication and Information – Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists Section, UNESCO

14:30 - Session II: Creating a conducive online space for freedom of expression, dialogue and respect

This session will look at the right to freedom of expression and the steps that parliaments can take to protect it online and offline. Against the backdrop of the increased repression of free speech in some corners, as well as mounting incidents of hate speech and fake news, the session will also examine permissible and impermissible restrictions to freedom of expression under international law. The session will look at ways to build genuine bridges in support of human rights within parliament and between parliament, civil society and the media.

• Samuel Cogolati, President of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, Member of the Federal Parliament of Belgium
• Sarah Elago, former Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines 

Moderated by: Rogier Huizenga, Manager, IPU Human Rights Programme

15:45 - Break

16:00 - Session III: How can regulators and civil servants be ready for the challenges of digital governance?

With the accelerated development and pervasive use of digital technology, digital transformation, including artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, has in recent years become a mantra for public organisations. For national digital transformation efforts to succeed, governments need to identify and address those digital governance challenges, update their digital skills and take a whole-of-society inclusive approach.

In this context, what are some of the regulatory challenges and what kind of capacities do regulators and civil servants need to develop to ensure rights based and human centered digital governance?

• Dr. Gianluca Misuraca, Executive Director, AI4Gov Masters
• Diaby Moustapha Mamy, Senior Advisor, ICT & Digital Transformation Cabinet of the Vice-President African Union Commission

Moderator: Marielza Oliveira, Director Inclusion and Policies and Transformation, UNESCO

17:15 - Closing remarks

• Rogier Huizenga, Manager, IPU Human Rights Programme
• Marielza Oliviera, Director, Digital Inclusion and Policies and Transformation