“Allowing hate speech and harmful content online has real-world consequences. Regulating this content is not censorship.” Volker Türk wrote in X.
In a longer LinkedIn post on the same topic, Türk argued that labeling efforts to create safe online spaces as “censorship… ignore[s] the fact that unregulated space means some people are silenced, particularly those whose voices are often marginalized. At the same time, allowing hate online limits free expression and can cause real-world harm.”
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg announced last Tuesday that the company would end its fact-checking program in the United States, stating that fact-checkers risked appearing politically biased, and that self-regulation resulted in too much censorship. He called for a return to greater freedom of expression on Meta platforms, adding that user trust had been eroded.
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) reportedly rejected Zuckerberg's “false” argument and warned that it could cause harm.
Digital potential
Türk highlighted that social media platforms have enormous capacity to positively shape society by connecting people. But they can also fuel conflict, incite hatred and threaten people's safety.
“At its best, social media is a place where people with divergent views can exchange, if not always agree.“, said.
The UN human rights chief said he would continue to call for “accountability and governance in the digital space, in line with human rights.” “This safeguards public discourse, builds trust, and protects everyone’s dignity.”
When asked about the impact of recent Meta decisions on the United Nations' social media policy, a UN spokesperson in Geneva emphasized that the global organization continually monitors and evaluates the online space.
“It remains crucial for us to be present with fact-based information”said Michele Zaccheo, head of TV, Radio and Webcast. He added that the UN remained committed to providing evidence-based information on social media platforms.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality science-based health information, maintaining a presence on various online platforms.
In response to the growing crisis fueled by digital disinformation, the UN Department of Global Communications (DCG) has been actively working to combat false narratives.
This includes the development of a code of conduct for information integrity, known as the United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity.
