As the United Nations continue to refine the Zero Draft of the Global Digital Compact, Derechos Digitales, the Forum on Information and Democracy, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Research ICT Africa publish their joint contribution to uphold the integrity of the digital space while protecting the pillars of democratic society, independent journalism and the right to reliable information.

The United Nations Global Digital Compact is set to become a universal framework for the management of the digital sphere. Before its adoption in September, a first draft was published on 1 April 2024. While it correctly aims to harness digital technology for sustainable development, the Compact could be better aligned with already existing international frameworks, such as the UN Guiding principles on Business and Human Rights and the International Partnership for Information and Democracy. 

With this objective, Derechos Digitales, the Forum on Information and Democracy, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Research ICT Africa have joined forces to develop a set of recommendations for a Compact which upholds Human Rights and democratic values. These recommendations will be shared to the 52 signatory States of the Partnership for Information and Democracy in an attempt to shape a common vision for our digital future.

The recommendations developed by the four organizations focus on 5 priorities: 

• To close the digital divide and build digital public infrastructure
• To foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space
• To strengthen access to reliable information
• To recognise and build upon existing initiatives and avoid duplication
• To ensure the sustained and meaningful participation of civil society, media and academia

Our recommendations are available here.