«Since my time here I have observed the pivotal role of independent online media in fostering the fight against gender-based violence, in helping local communities convey their grievances to the decision-makers, in drawing public attention to the development challenges, risks of conflicts and national peacebuilding efforts,» the UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan, Antje Grawe, said during technical consultations on the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in Kyrgyzstan.
She stressed that through online media, as well as websites and social media channels of non-commercial organizations and private entrepreneurs people learn about their rights, state services and the country’s developments, noting the state’s efforts to find solutions to counter fake news.
«We all know that fighting disinformation while safeguarding the freedom of expression requires a delicate balance. I have spoken about this challenge extensively in my speech last November. Let me recall here only that the UN Human Rights Council (Resolution 49/21, April 2022) and the UN General Assembly (Resolution 76/227, December 2021) have stressed that free, plural media, supported by self-regulation mechanisms, and an open and pluralistic civic space, with independent and active civil society and academia, enable the public to access independent, timely, evidenced-based, accessible, clear and multi-lingual information from diverse sources and are preconditions for democratic debate and an informed public,» Antje Grawe noted.
