Countering disinformation for the promotion and protection of
human rights and fundamental freedoms
A/RES/76/227
Recalling further the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, 9 as
endorsed by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 17/4 of 16 June 2011, 10
Recalling the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech of
June 2019, and acknowledging that hate speech and disinformation are distinct
phenomena which may overlap in some cases,
Taking note of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression on disinformation and
freedom of opinion and expression, 11
Reaffirming the positive role that the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion
and expression and full respect for the freedom to seek, receive and impart
information can play in strengthening democracy and countering disinformation, and
reaffirming further that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with
it special duties and responsibilities, in accordance with article 19 of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
Recalling article 20, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, which states that any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred
that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited
by law,
Stressing that responses to the spread of disinformation must comply with
international human rights law and the principles of legality, necessity and
proportionality, and underlining the importance of free, independent, plural and
diverse media and of providing and promoting access to independent, factual and
evidence-based information to counter disinformation,
Reaffirming the need to ensure that efforts to counter disinformation promote
and protect and do not violate individuals’ freedom of expression and freedom to seek,
receive and impart information, and noting that media and information-related
technology literacy can help to achieve this through independent and free media,
awareness-raising and a focus on the empowerment of people,
Highlighting the global concerns about the rapid spread and proliferation of
disinformation, thereby increasing the need for the dissemination of factual, timely,
clear, accessible, multilingual and evidence-based information, and emphasizing the
need for all relevant stakeholders to address the challenge of disinformation,
Expressing concern that the use of digital technology can enable new pathways
for intentionally false or misleading information to be created, disseminated and
amplified by State and non-State actors for political, ideological or commercial
motives at an alarmingly growing scale, speed and reach, and recognizing, in the
context of the challenges and opportunities arising from new and emerging digital
technologies, the need to counter disinformation, in a manner that complies with
States’ obligations under international human rights law,
Expressing concern also about the spread of disinformation on online platforms,
including on social media, which can be designed and implemented so as to mislead,
to spread racism, xenophobia, negative stereotyping and stigmatization, to undermine
public health messaging, to breach individuals’ right to privacy, and to incite all forms
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10
11
2/4
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Pro tect,
Respect and Remedy” Framework ( A/HRC/17/31, annex).
See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/66/53),
chap. III, sect. A.
A/HRC/47/25.
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