FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS: UNESCO GUIDELINES

Abstract

The relevance of this study is determined by the transformation of the contemporary media landscape, in which media content is increasingly created, distributed, and consumed through digital online platforms. At the same time, a significant proportion of content creators do not belong to the professional community of journalists or traditional media institutions. Recent studies on media consumption indicate that the smartphone has firmly established itself as the primary screen in people’s everyday lives, while digital platforms and media services have become the dominant sources of information and entertainment. However, this dynamic gives rise to a number of risks, particularly in situations where the speed of content production comes into conflict with the principles of professional media responsibility toward audiences. Digital platforms, while providing space for diverse forms of self-expression, may simultaneously foster informational “filter bubbles,” facilitate the spread of misinformation and disinformation, and contribute to the proliferation of conspiracy theories and manifestations of violence. Under such conditions, the issue of protecting digital platform audiences from manipulative practices and information threats becomes especially pressing. The problem statement is grounded in the need for a comprehensive analysis of mechanisms for protecting users of digital platforms within the framework of international approaches to digital governance, particularly UNESCO’s policies aimed at improving the quality of digital content and fostering a healthier and more resilient information environment. The purpose of this article is to analyze the findings of the UNESCO study “Behind the Screens: Insights from Digital Content Creators – Understanding Their Intentions, Practices, and Challenges”, as well as the policies of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization concerning the promotion and protection of freedom of expression and the rights of content consumers in the context of the use and moderation of digital platforms. The article also identifies key principles of digital platform governance proposed by UNESCO, which constitute a coherent normative framework that combines the protection of freedom of expression with requirements for transparency, accountability, and legal responsibility. These principles may serve as both a theoretical and practical foundation for further research in the field of digital media, as well as for the development of national and international policies regulating the digital information environment