Nairobi, 22 November 2024 每 Key stakeholders from Kenya＊s media, civil society, government, and academia convened in Nairobi to strategize on implementing the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity.
 
Organized by the Kenya Editors＊ Guild (KEG) and the UN Information Service (UNIS) Nairobi, the convening addressed the urgent challenge of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age.

The UN Global Principles for Information Integrity were launched earlier this year by UN Secretary-General Ant車nio Guterres and aim to create safer and more ethical information spaces.
 
These principles, developed through consultations with Member States, the private sector, civil society, and media actors, emphasize societal trust and resilience, transparency, ethical digital governance, and accountability across all information platforms.

Participants in the Nairobi convening reviewed how these principles can be contextualized in Kenya. Discussions highlighted critical issues such as the erosion of public trust due to misinformation and disinformation, the challenges media are facing in the digital age, the impact of artificial intelligence, academic curricula, and more.
 
Key recommendations from the convening included:

  • Strengthening Media Independence and Resilience: Participants emphasized the importance of fact-checking and investigative reporting. Kenyan media houses were encouraged to adopt advanced AI tools to enhance objectivity and accuracy, fostering a trustworthy press that counters misinformation.
  • Policy Advocacy and Legal Frameworks: Stakeholders called for robust legal frameworks to safeguard media independence, ethical standards, and accountability. Collaborative policy development between government, civil society, and media was deemed essential for upholding information integrity.
  • Cross-Sector Collaboration: Strong partnerships between media, technology platforms, civil society organizations, and government were identified as critical. These collaborations can amplify existing efforts to ensure sustainable development goals (SDGs) are achieved while safeguarding information spaces.
  • Public Awareness and Education: Public education campaigns were recognized as vital in equipping citizens with the skills to identify and combat misinformation. Emphasis was placed on the need for digital literacy initiatives targeting youth and marginalized populations.
  • Transparency in Digital Governance: Ethical governance of digital platforms and AI tools was highlighted as an integral part of preserving information integrity. Participants advocated for greater accountability and transparency among technology companies operating in Kenya.

Sandra Macharia, Director of UNIS Nairobi, underscored the importance of restoring trust in media institutions, stating: ※Safeguarding information integrity is not only about combating fake news; it＊s about rebuilding trust and ensuring our societies are informed, resilient, and ready to navigate the digital future.§

Rosalia Omungo, CEO of KEG, stressed the urgency of the matter, pointing out that ※false stories travel faster than truth in the digital era. To regain public trust, Kenya＊s media must innovate, invest in ethical journalism, and champion transparency.§

The convening concluded with a shared commitment to advancing the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity, fostering a unified effort to tackle the challenges of misinformation and disinformation.