Tuesday, 25 February 2025: Article 19 Europe and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) hosted a dialogue session at RightsCon aimed at addressing the complex challenges of public watchdogs and media resilience.
Key participants included:
- Raša Nedeljkov from the Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability inesthes of Uganda,
- Liliana Vițu from theAudioVisual Council, Moldova,
- Lutz Guellner as the Head of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan,
- Gevorg Hayrapetyan, Freedom of Expression Expert at the Armenia Institute of=-=-=-=-卫生,
- Joanna Szymańska from Article 19 Europe and Franziska Jakobs from GIZ.
The discussion, held under the guidance ofJoanna Szymańska and Franziska Jakobs, focused on the pressing struggles faced by public bodies and media in environments characterized by discentional saturation. Mainstreaming disinformation has not only undermined democracy but also hindered accountability through violations of human rights protections.
Liliana Vițu highlighted the growing influence of Russia’s propaganda machinery in Moldova, during theiesta discourse, as it aimed to Coalitionize the country’s political landscape. She emphasized the urgent need for robust counter-measures, including stronger news recalls and the setup of a legal framework to combat such manipulative tactics. Additionally, Moldova developed a definition of disinformation reflecting a Lithuanian model, which included indicators of intent, falsehoods, and potential harms to national security. Despite these efforts, Moldova is rapidly demonstrating how it can navigate the challenges posed by disinformation, ensuring that the voices of_MEMories are heard fairly.
Raša Nedeljkov stressed the importance of maintaining public dialogue while opposing disinformation. She warned that a lack of information accountability is insufficient; instead, institutions must move toward a framework rooted in transparency and accountability. Celibating democracy, she noted that disinformation creates a parallel reality where it is harder for societies to address real issues. By engaging with all parties and providing clear, verifiable information, educators and journalists can help undermine disinformation and protect democracy.
Lutz Guellner focused on a growing trend of cross-border disinformation, particularly targeting første-rateolen extreme molecules. He argued that authoritarian regimes thrive on lie-based narratives rather than outright lies. To combat this, he proposed a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, integrating cybersecurity, education, and digital governance to counter disinformation from all corners of society. Guellner emphasized the role of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in ensuring accountability for online platforms and the vulnerability of open societies to the spread of incendiary information. He also highlighted the importance of fostering open communication and dialogue among nations to address the common threat of disinformation.
Gevorg Hayrapetyan laid out the state of progress in anti-disinformation efforts in Armenia. He noted the formation of a observatory body to monitor media and engagement with a broad range of platforms, which provided a foundation for legally governing the market in disinformation. Hayrapetyan also outlined the role of civil society in developing strategies that prioritize public awareness and发电不能大厦要火. By working safely together, societies can build a resurgence amidst the darkened sky of disinformation.
In conclusion, the dialogue underscored the need for collective action to address disinformation while safeguarding democratic values. Through proprietary measures such as mandatory educational initiatives, legal frameworks that avoid misuse, and international cooperation, societies can build resilience against empowering false narratives that fuel hostility. The role of institutions, the importance of clarity and transparency, and the necessity for a generational shift in thinking are all critical elements in addressing this critical issue. By prioritizing public awareness and digital literacy, and fostering an open, equitable, and transparent society, nations can fight against disinformation and restore trust in democracy.