IGF 2022 Open Forum #70 Open Forum: Shaping digital platforms for the public good

UNESCO Social Media 4 Peace project funded by the European Union, has revealed gaps in current policies and practices for managing online content, especially hate speech and harmful content. In many countries, regulatory frameworks are either absent or insufficient or strongly restrictive affecting peoples’ right to freedom of expression. In addition, platforms have not invested the resources needed to adequately detect and deal with potentially harmful content online while respecting freedom of expression, particularly at the local level. 

In this context, UNESCO is piloting a model framework for shaping digital platforms for securing information as a public good while respecting freedom of expression. The draft framework will be presented and discussed at a global conference that will take place in February 2023 at UNESCO.  

Therefore, the objectives of this UNESCO Open Forum will be to:  

1. Showcase the testimonies and findings of the Social Media 4 Peace Project, which informs UNESCO's approach to address online harmful content 

2. Facilitate a multi-stakeholder consultation around UNESCO's draft model regulatory framework for digital platforms to secure information as a public good, as an open consultation ahead of the global conference in February 2023: https://www.unesco.org/en/internet-conference

As this Open Forum consists of a consultation session, the discussion will be led in a participatory manner so that both speakers and audience members will be able to actively interact, and share questions, comments, and inputs. These will subsequently be considered for reviewing the approach to harmful content online to be presented at the conference. 

The session will also be of value to the Future Summit 2023 and more specifically the Global Digital Compact outcomes.

First, we will ensure fluent communication between our onsite and online moderators to keep track of the questions and comments from both groups and ensure that everyone has a chance to voice their thoughts. Through audio and visual equipment, we will allow online participants to have both auditive and visual input in the online session.

Also, to ensure dynamic input throughout the session we will also allow for a chat function (accessible for everyone onsite and online via their phones or computers) so that attendees can post their questions, thoughts, and comments online and have a back-and-forth conversation. As this Open forum consists of a consultation session, we will also make sure that everyone involved is aware of the format and content of the policy papers and the session in advance, so that they can prepare any questions, comments, or input they might have.

We will hold a synchronous hybrid conference session where both online and onsite participants are present at the same time and can interact with each other in real-time. We will provide clear instructions to both onsite and online participants before the session. This means sending out an agenda, the draft outcome of the policy papers and principles, providing clear instructions on how to join the conference, and accessing any materials that will be used during the session.

We will make sure the audio and video quality of the speakers online, and of the participant’s room onsite is good for all participants. This means using a high-quality microphone and camera and testing the audio and video setup in advance. By ensuring a specific camera angle (on-site), we would like to have all participants in camera for the online viewers, to ensure fluent communication between both. We will plan for interactive elements that will engage both onsite and online participants. This could include things like breakout rooms for small group discussions, polls and surveys, workshop fill-in documents, and Q&A sessions.

To ensure dynamic and fluent communication between onsite and online participants, we will make sure to have the appropriate audio/visual equipment on-site to support interactive discussion on both sides. As we are planning to have a synchronous hybrid conference session, we will make sure that you have a strong and reliable Internet connection to support both the onsite and online participants. Tools: A chat tool such as Zoom allows participants to ask questions and engage in discussion both during and after the session A virtual whiteboard tool such as Miro to brainstorm ideas and collaborate on projects in real-time