A/HRC/47/25
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
13 April 2021
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Forty-seventh session
21 June–9 July 2021
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Disinformation and freedom of opinion and expression
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of
the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan
Summary
In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the
right to freedom of opinion and expression examines the threats posed by disinformation to
human rights, democratic institutions and development processes. While acknowledging the
complexities and challenges posed by disinformation in the digital age, the Special
Rapporteur finds that the responses by States and companies have been problematic,
inadequate and detrimental to human rights. She calls for multidimensional and multistakeholder responses that are well grounded in the international human rights framework
and urges companies to review their business model and States to recalibrate their responses
to disinformation, enhancing the role of free, independent and diverse media, investing in
media and digital literacy, empowering individuals and rebuilding public trust.
GE.21-04823(E)