ALFM Action Line C9: Strengthening the role of media and social media in relation to the SDGs

The facilitation meeting aims to trigger open dialogue on major trends in freedom of expression and media development online and offline around the world. As a fundamental freedom, the universal human right to freedom of expression is foundational to target 10 on “public access to information and fundamental freedoms”. This in turn has been recognized as essential for building peaceful, just and inclusive societies (Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development). Part of freedom of expression is press freedom, which UNESCO interprets as the freedom to publish information on a platform. In the context of technological innovation and political polarization, it is illuminating to bring together diverse media stakeholders to discuss shared challenges encountered and possible ways forward concerning the role of media and social media in relation to the SDGs.

This meeting will provide a platform for discussion of these issues, building on the findings of the 2017/2018 report of UNESCO's flagship series on World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development. The World Trends Report explores recent developments at the global and regional levels in media freedom, pluralism, independence, and safety, each examined through a gender-sensitive lens and with special attention given to transnational and digital media. The focus of the session will be on emerging digital trends, such as the rise in internet shutdowns, the impact of algorithms on diversity of content, ‘fake news’ as well as the rising challenges of big data and AI on journalism and freedom of expression. The session will also shed light on the issue of freedom of artistic expression in relation to the media and SDGs, as a crosscutting aspect related to WSIS Action Line 8 “Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content.

UNESCO will also present its draft Internet Universality indicators based on the R-O-A-M principles (Rights based, Openness, Accessibility and Multi-stakeholder participation) which contributes to exploring the complexities of achieving freedom of expression and privacy online and offline. Within this context, UNESCO has commissioned several new studies, shedding light on the issues of Youth and violent extremism on social media and What if we all governed the Internet?

The C9 media session will set a scene by presenting UNESCO’s work to trigger stakeholder’s policy discussion and reflections on enhancing the role of media and social media relevant to the implementation of SDGs in the digital age.