A United Nations committee has agreed to tackle “hate speech” and “misinformation” globally through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and media, despite worries the approach may “stifle pluralistic debate.”
The U.N. General Assembly Fourth Committee (also known as the Special Political and Decolonization Committee) adopted the resolution as the U.N. seeks to streamline its worldwide narrative on themes like climate change, digital identification, and digital money.
The Fourth Committee also voted for a resolution on our “Our Common Agenda” plan, which includes rolling out the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs aim to achieve “peace and prosperity for people and the planet.”
However, to achieve that aim, preferably by 2030, people have to follow U.N. “SDGs” guidelines on, for instance, “climate change,” which critics say will involve more surveillance and censorship.
The “Our Common Agenda” resolution also includes rolling out bank account-linked digital identification documents (IDs) that experts warn will give states more control over people’s spending.
Yet, with alternative media and other critical voices questioning these policies, the U.N.‘s Department of Global Communications will be asked “to make specific efforts to raise awareness about misinformation and disinformation,” according to the resolution seen by Worthy News.
The Department will also be asked to consider “the impact of AI and propose ways to address such a challenge in accordance with international human rights law, within existing resources.”
Argentina was among those voicing concern about the U.N.’s use of the term “hate speech,” adding that it can be abused to prevent pluralistic debate.
Its representative “dissociated himself from paragraphs in resolution B that refer to hate speech, to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Our Common Agenda,” according to a transcript seen by Worthy News.
Islamic-ruled Pakistan was among the most vocal states disagreeing with Argentina’s concerns. It even suggested pressuring tech giants such as Google and Meta to follow the U.N. narratives.
Pakistan said the tech giants “should be “collaborated with” and warned they should not put profit before the need to join “the war on disinformation.”
Speakers also highlighted the role of journalists in providing “accurate information” about armed conflicts and crises and the need to protect them.
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