Global Concern Over Online Disinformation Prompts UN Action Plan

More than 85% of people worldwide are concerned about the impact of online disinformation, with 87% believing it has already damaged their country’s political landscape, according to a comprehensive global survey released as the United Nations unveiled a new plan to combat the spread of false information online.

During a press conference on Monday, Audrey Azoulay, director general of UNESCO, emphasized that false information and hate speech—amplified by social media platforms—represent “major risks to social cohesion, peace and stability.” She stressed the urgent need for regulation “to protect access to information while at the same time protecting freedom of expression and human rights” as she presented what UNESCO calls a “governance blueprint” for governments, regulators, and platforms.

The UNESCO-commissioned survey conducted by Ipsos polled 8,000 people across 16 countries scheduled to hold national elections in 2024—representing a combined 2.5 billion voters. Countries surveyed included the United States, Austria, Croatia, Algeria, Mexico, Ghana, and India, highlighting the global scope of the research.

The findings reveal a significant shift in how people consume news, with 56% of internet users now getting their news primarily from social media—far outpacing traditional television (44%) and news websites (29%). Social media has emerged as the dominant news source in almost every country surveyed, despite public trust in these platforms being markedly lower than in traditional media. Only 50% of respondents trust information from social media, compared to 66% for television, 63% for radio, and 57% for media websites and apps.

Across all demographics and countries, 68% of respondents identified social media as the primary source of fake news, followed by messaging apps at 38%. This perception transcends age groups, social backgrounds, and political affiliations, showing widespread agreement on the issue.

The perception of disinformation as a concrete threat is overwhelming, with 85% expressing concern about its influence. The impact on political discourse is particularly troubling, as 87% believe disinformation has already significantly affected their national politics and will continue to influence the upcoming 2024 elections.

Hate speech also remains a persistent problem online, with 67% of respondents reporting they’ve encountered it directly. This figure rises to 74% among those under 35 years of age. Large majorities demand action, with 88% calling for government and regulatory intervention and 90% expecting platforms to address both disinformation and hate speech.

The survey revealed heightened concern during election periods, with 89% of respondents calling for government and regulatory vigilance during campaigns, and 91% expecting social media platforms to be more alert when democratic processes are directly at stake.

“People are very concerned about disinformation, across every country and social category—age, education, rural or urban,” noted Mathieu Gallard of Ipsos. “They are especially worried during elections—and they want all actors to fight it.”

UNESCO’s plan is built on seven key principles developed through what the organization describes as an “unprecedented” 18-month consultation process involving more than 10,000 contributions from 134 countries. Guilherme Canela de Souza Godoi, UNESCO’s chief of section for freedom of expression, noted that while over 50 countries already regulate social media, many do not align with international free speech and human rights standards.

The guidelines provide “a strong blueprint based on a human rights approach, designed to inform and inspire governments and regulators,” according to Godoi. Several African and Latin American countries have already expressed interest in adopting the framework. At least one major social media platform has indicated to UNESCO that it would prefer a consistent global governance framework rather than navigating a complex patchwork of national and regional regulations.

To advance this initiative, UNESCO plans to organize a World Conference of Regulators in 2024. The organization emphasizes that human rights must be “the compass for all decision-making at every stage and by every stakeholder.” UNESCO is calling for independent and well-resourced public regulators worldwide to work collaboratively, preventing digital organizations from exploiting regulatory differences between countries.

The plan also demands that platforms moderate content effectively across all regions and languages, while remaining “accountable and transparent with regard to algorithms that are too often geared towards maximizing engagement at the cost of reliable information.” Additionally, both regulators and platforms must implement stronger measures—including risk assessments, content flagging, and greater transparency around political advertising—during elections and crises such as armed conflicts and natural disasters.