Israel, Russia, Ukraine, and Others Clash Over Speech Control at UN “Disinformation” Talks

by Cindy Harper | Reclaim The Net

At the United Nations Committee on Information’s 47th session, now in progress through May 9, delegates delivered impassioned speeches condemning the spread of false information online. But while much of the discussion focused on the dangers of disinformation, a growing undercurrent of concern emerged over the potential use of these efforts as a pretext for censorship and control over speech.

The Israeli delegation described the spread of online falsehoods and incitement as not merely a technical hurdle but a “moral obligation” to confront, stating that “the fight against disinformation is not only a technical challenge, but also a moral obligation.” This framing resonated with many states present, who endorsed the UNESCO Principles for the Governance of Digital Platforms; guidelines ostensibly designed to curb digital misinformation and “hate speech.”

Yet, the widespread enthusiasm for these principles raises pressing questions about who defines disinformation, how enforcement is implemented, and what safeguards exist to prevent abuse. While member states described online manipulation campaigns as threats to national sovereignty and social stability, the solutions proposed risk handing greater power to centralized institutions to determine which voices are legitimate and which are not. Read Full Article >