UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

VIENNA (03 March 2017) – “States have a positive obligation to promote a free, independent and diverse communications environment, including media diversity, which is a key means of addressing disinformation and propaganda,” noted the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, along with three regional bodies’ thematic special rapporteurs. In their “Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and ‘Fake News’, Disinformation and Propaganda”, the four expressed concern over “disinformation and propaganda [which] are often designed and implemented so as to mislead a population”, and which may “incite [people] to violence, discrimination or hostility against identifiable groups in society.” The declaration, released on 03 March, lays out basic standards on disinformation and propaganda, methods by which the State could create an enabling environment for freedom of expression, and the role of journalists and media in society. Read the full news story and download the declaration in English here