Building a Global Forum of Networks
International Conference on Digital Platform Governance: Building a Global Forum of Networks
Marking International Day for Countering Hate Speech, international networks of audiovisual, electronic media and online regulators will gather with other multistakeholder networks to discuss the challenges and opportunities for digital platform governance.
During the “Internet for Trust” Conference in February 2023, six media regulatory networks published a statement in which they expressed their interest to champion an "Internet for trust”. In this statement, they underscored their intent to develop consistent regulatory systems worldwide, aligning with UNESCO's objectives on safeguarding freedom of expression and information in the context of digital platform governance while dealing with potential harmful content and minimizing the fragmentation of the digital space.
Following this statement and the release of the UNESCO’s Guidelines for the governance of digital platforms in November 2023, the Organization has been pursuing its commitment and using it convening power to foster the development of global networks and inclusive multistakeholder forums for discussing and sharing good practices in the governance of digital platforms.
UNESCO is supporting the development and strengthening of the Global Forum of Networks, which will share experiences, provide policy advice, and monitor and assess the governance of digital platforms and the alignment of the principles set on the Guidelines at the national, regional, and global levels. This commitment is substantiated through various initiatives, including building a Global Forum of Networks supported by UNESCO, which brings together international networks of audiovisual, electronic media and online regulators.
Who are these networks?
- The African Communication Regulation Authorities Network (ACRAN),
- The European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA)
- The Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN)
- The Mediterranean Network of Regulatory Authorities (MNRA)
- The Platform of Ibero-American Audiovisual Regulators (PRAI)
- The Francophone Network of Media Regulators (REFRAM).
The International Conference on Digital Platform Governance on the International Day for Countering Hate Speech / 18-19 June 2024, Dubrovnik, Croatia
The commemoration of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech is an occasion to mobilize international networks of audiovisual, electronic media and online regulators to counter the exponential spread and proliferation of hate speech, discrimination and xenophobia online while also growing their efforts to address this phenomenon, in line with international human rights law. The conference will also acknowledge the crucial role international networks of audiovisual, electronic media and online regulators play in safeguarding human rights online, and it will promote the multi-stakeholder and human rights approach to digital platform governance. The second day of the conference will be dedicated to substantive discussions between the participants and to defining the way forward for the building of the Global Forum of Networks.
