SDGs CONFERENCE 2024

IN THE MARGINS OF THE UNGA79

PANEL 2

Information Integrity on Digital Platforms and Mainstream Media

25 September 2024, Wednesday | 12:15 PM – 1:45 PM EST | New York

The 9th Annual SDGs Conference 2024 was organized on 25 September 2024, in New York, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly 79th Session. Convened by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) in collaboration with 56 global partners from 30 countries, the conference unfolded the 5 main themes of Pact for the Future that was recently adopted at the Summit of the Future, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revive multilateralism with the mission of reflecting the realities of our day and address future challenges and opportunities.

Representative of the JWF to the United Nations Department of Global Communications started the session by acknowledging that digital technologies are dramatically transforming our world. They offer immense potential benefits for the well-being and advancement of people societies and our planet. Ms. Ulker noted: “As the freedom of media continues to be among the strongest pillars of democracies, we must also acknowledge that the ecosystem of information being produced and circulated by press institutions is evolving, and how we, as global citizens, are consuming this network of data is transforming as well.”

The discussion on transforming media institutions was led by Jennifer Fenton, an experienced media advisor and Spokesperson for the UN Office of the Special Envoy for Syria. She began by emphasizing the essential role of journalists in addressing global challenges and shaping public discourse, highlighting their responsibility as pillars of truth and accountability in a world marked by increasing complexities. Ms. Fenton referenced the recent adoption of the Pact for the Future, which includes a Global Digital Compact aimed at balancing technological advancement with the protection of fundamental rights, particularly in addressing misinformation, cybercrime, and equitable access to digital tools.

Panel Session 2 focused on the following themes: the role of journalists in humanitarian crises and human rights reporting, building sustainable and resilient media outlets, combatting misinformation and disinformation, defending election integrity in an AI-dominated media landscape, and the global crisis of press freedom.

Professor Monica Attard, Co-Director of the UTS Centre for Media Transition at the University of Technology Sydney took the floor and drawing on her extensive experience as a former foreign correspondent, underscored the challenges of covering humanitarian crises, highlighting the elusiveness of good information and trustworthy news coverage. Prof. Attard stressed the importance of journalists in exposing human rights violations and influencing international policies. She recounted her experiences covering significant global events, including civil wars and the collapse of the Soviet Union. She pointed out that while journalists aim to bring attention to suffering and injustice, structural biases and funding limitations often hinder effective coverage.

Prof. Attard stressed that journalists play a critical role in highlighting humanitarian crises and ensuring affected voices are heard. Structural biases influence which stories receive attention, often leading to significant issues being overlooked. Therefore, Prof. Monica Attard noted that the transient nature of media coverage can result in the neglect of ongoing humanitarian crises. She also underlined the challenges of maintaining audience engagement with prolonged crises and the need for ethical reporting practices.

Silviu Calangiu, Head of Digital at Euronews Romania, followed with a focus on the importance of adaptability in the evolving digital landscape. Drawing from his experience, Mr. Calangiu highlighted the need for journalists to adapt to technological changes to a door lock that enhances existing locks rather than replacing them. He examined the impressive digital growth of Euronews Romania as a best practice, which reached millions of viewers across various platforms. He addressed the challenges facing journalism today, such as disinformation and financial difficulties, emphasizing the importance of algorithm transparency and promoting digital literacy among journalists.

Reflecting on Prof. Attard`s insights, Mr. Calangiu also emphasized the need for journalists to adapt to technological changes and evolving consumption habits. In this transformation phase, she identified challenges of disinformation, financial pressures, and political censorship. As an executive, he also advocated for a multiplatform content strategy, digital integrity, and alternative revenue models like crowdfunding is mandatory.

Courtney Kealey, Media Strategist and Former War Correspondent started her remarks by reflecting on her experiences covering significant global events, often finding herself at the forefront of conflicts. Ms. Kealey expressed her excitement about the inclusion of “integrity” in the panel discussion, highlighting it as a core value that underpins honest journalism. Defining integrity as having moral principles and being truthful even when unobserved, nonetheless, Courtney Kealey reiterated that integrity is foundational in journalism, stating that journalists should never fabricate stories or misrepresent facts.

Throughout her extensive career, Courtney Kealey has witnessed the increasing challenges of upholding integrity amidst a growing culture of misinformation, exacerbated by political leaders popularizing terms like “fake news.” She shared a concerning anecdote about an encounter on LinkedIn where a user thanked her for providing “factual analysis,” underscoring the public’s uncertainty about what constitutes reliable reporting. Highlighting her experience as a fact-checker, Ms. Courtney recounted her efforts to debunk false claims about U.S. bioweapons labs in Ukraine, recalling the hostile responses she faced while attempting to clarify misinformation.

She articulated that the spread of misleading narratives is dangerously quick, particularly illustrated by recent misleading statements from political leaders, which can irreparably damage public trust. Reflecting on technological advancements, she expressed concern over how easily video content can be manipulated, making it challenging for platforms to manage and label misinformation effectively. In her conclusion, Courtney urged journalists to recommit to integrity and rigorous news delivery, emphasizing the collective responsibility to uphold principles that serve the public good

Dr. Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi, an author and Former Chief Election Commissioner of India, addressed the panel on the importance of journalism, integrity, and elections, especially in the context of the upcoming 2024 elections. Drawing from his extensive experience in both electoral processes and media management, Dr. Quraishi highlighted the evolving landscape of journalism and its critical role in ensuring free and fair elections. He began by emphasizing the historical relationship between election commissions and the media, portraying the latter as vital allies in upholding democratic integrity.

Dr. Quraishi noted that during his tenure as Chief Election Commissioner, he recognized the media’s dual role as a watchdog and a partner in the electoral process. He expressed gratitude for their efforts to expose malpractices and ensure transparency. However, he acknowledged that the current media environment has been drastically transformed by the advent of social media, artificial intelligence (AI), and misinformation, creating both opportunities and challenges for election integrity.

In discussing the benefits of AI in elections, Dr. Quraishi pointed out its potential to enhance voter verification, monitor irregular voting patterns, and track misinformation campaigns on digital platforms. He highlighted that AI could aid in identifying duplicate voter registrations and anomalies in voter turnout, which could indicate attempts to manipulate the election process. Dr. Quraishi also raised concerns about the negative implications of AI, such as algorithmic bias, the generation of deepfakes, and the potential for manipulating public sentiment through targeted misinformation.

Dr. Quraishi stressed the need for safeguards in the use of AI, including transparency in algorithms, data privacy protections, and clear ethical guidelines to prevent misuse. He urged for independent audits of AI systems to ensure they function without bias. Moreover, he suggested that the solutions to combating AI-related electoral fraud could also come from AI itself, positing that advancements in AI technology might offer innovative ways to identify and mitigate risks.

In conclusion, Dr. Quraishi’s remarks underscored the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity in the face of evolving technology and misinformation, highlighting the collaborative role of media in safeguarding the electoral process. Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi proposed that AI itself may offer innovative solutions to combat fraud and ensure the integrity of the electoral process, showcasing the dual-edged nature of technology in modern democracy.

Following Dr. Quraishi, Mahir Zeynalov, a Harvard-educated journalist and Editor-in-Chief of the Globe Post took the floor. Mr. Zeynalov`s former experiences in Turkey provided a compelling backdrop for his reflections on the state of journalism under oppressive regimes and the role of misinformation in today’s polarized society. Mahir Zeynalov began his reflections by recounting a traumatic experience from Istanbul when he learned of an arrest warrant issued against him for “insulting” the then-Prime Minister. His subsequent escape from Turkey, facilitated by international awareness and support from the U.S. State Department, underscored the dangers journalists face in oppressive regimes.

Mr. Zeynalov painted a grim picture of the current press landscape in Turkey, where numerous journalists have been jailed, and media organizations shut down. He discussed how governments manipulate information in a society where misinformation flourishes, allowing them to control narratives without resorting to outright censorship. Emphasizing the need for credible media institutions, Maher noted that many media organizations are struggling financially and adapting to the modern landscape of free content.

He advocated for empowering brave journalists willing to speak truth to power, stressing the necessity of focusing on the public rather than the government. Transitioning to a personal topic, Jenifer Fenton raised the issue of psychological trauma among journalists, asking Mr. Zeynalov how exiled journalists can continue to contribute to the media landscape safely. He emphasized the importance of unity among exiled journalists, noting that collective strength is crucial for challenging oppressive regimes back home and stressed the importance of unity among exiled journalists for effective opposition to oppressive regimes.

The panel discussion brought forth crucial reflections on the values of integrity in journalism and the challenges faced by journalists in an era rife with misinformation. Courtney Kealy’s emphasis on honesty and trustworthiness served as a vital reminder of the ethical responsibilities that journalists carry, while Mahir Zeynalov`s experiences underscored the perilous nature of journalism under authoritarian regimes. Together, their insights highlighted the urgent need for a collective commitment to uphold integrity and foster a robust, truthful media landscape that can withstand the pressures of misinformation and authoritarianism.

The discussion extended to an engaging Q&A session, where audience members posed thought-provoking questions about the challenges journalists face in accurately reporting complex issues.

A Harvard Law student raised concerns about journalists misinterpreting legal documents, referencing a recent UN report on sexual violence. She suggested that collaboration with legal experts could enhance reporting accuracy.

Antonio Momoc, Professor of Journalism from the University of Bucharest, acknowledged the struggles of high-quality journalism amidst industry fragmentation, questioning how journalists could maintain integrity in such an environment. In her response, Jenifer Fenton underscored the need for accuracy in legal reporting and the importance of high-quality journalism. She affirmed the value of collaborating with legal experts to avoid misinterpretation, drawing on her experiences in clarifying misunderstandings about UN support for victims of violence.

The panelists collectively emphasized the urgent need for integrity and accuracy in journalism, particularly in the face of misinformation and political pressures. They advocated for a unified approach among journalists, a reassessment of media business models, and a commitment to ensuring that critical humanitarian issues receive proper coverage. As misinformation continues to challenge the credibility of media outlets, the responsibility of journalists to uphold truth and integrity has never been more crucial.