ISLAMABAD
\nUnited Nations Edducation Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO), in partnership with the Institute for Research Advocacy and Development (IRADA), held here a national consultation to foster dialogue on digital governance and freedom of expression in Pakistan.
\nThe discussion centered on implementing UNESCO\u2019s Guidelines for Governance of Digital Platforms, aiming to balance freedom of speech with the challenges of disinformation and harmful online content.
\nAntony Kar Hung Tam, Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO in Pakistan, highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to tackle these issues. \u201cAddressing disinformation and harmful content online, while protecting freedom of expression and access to information, is a shared responsibility,\u201d he said.
\nGovernment representatives echoed similar concerns. Muhammad Shahzad, Director General at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, emphasized the importance of managing hate speech and disinformation without curbing legitimate discourse. Ahmed Shamim Pirzada, Director General of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), pointed out that digital governance challenges extend beyond Pakistan, requiring global cooperation for solutions.
\nThe UNESCO Guidelines outline a framework for digital governance, urging states, platforms, and civil society to ensure human rights are respected in the digital space. These include self-regulation, co-regulation, and statutory mechanisms, along with media literacy, cultural diversity, and robust content moderation practices.
\nAt a recent UNESCO Executive Board session in October 2024, Pakistan spearheaded a resolution to counter disinformation while protecting freedom of expression and access to information. The resolution called for collaborative, evidence-based approaches involving governments, media, and digital platforms.
\nThe session stressed the importance of digital and media literacy education, fact-checking initiatives, and transparent technological solutions as key tools to combat disinformation in line with international human rights laws.
\nPrior to the national consultation, UNESCO and IRADA conducted four provincial-level discussions to gather recommendations from diverse stakeholders, including academia, civil society, and media professionals. These inputs were refined and presented during the national event.
\nParticipants proposed several measures, such as strengthening cooperation among stakeholders. Promoting media and information literacy. Enhancing content moderation and accountability by digital platforms.
\nThese proposals were discussed in detail during a panel session, providing a foundation for a national regulatory framework aligned with UNESCO\u2019s guidelines.
\nUNESCO and IRADA aim to establish a multistakeholder advocacy forum to promote the implementation of the consultation\u2019s recommendations. This forum will work on creating evidence-based strategies that integrate global best practices with regional concerns to govern digital platforms effectively.
\nThe consultations have also led to a roadmap for implementing the Guidelines for Governance of Digital Platforms. The roadmap focuses on enabling digital rights, protecting fundamental freedoms, and fostering an inclusive and secure online environment for Pakistan\u2019s citizens.
\nThrough these initiatives, UNESCO and its partners are setting the stage for a digital governance model that ensures freedom of expression while addressing the pressing challenges of the digital age.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD United Nations Edducation Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO), in partnership with the Institute for Research Advocacy and Development (IRADA), held here a national consultation to foster dialogue on digital governance and freedom of expression in Pakistan. The discussion centered on implementing UNESCO\u2019s Guidelines for Governance of Digital Platforms, aiming to balance freedom of speech […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":405345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-448015","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n