Page 32 - JDPA Volume 02, Issue 02

Journal of Defence & Policy Analysis Volume 02, Issue 02, December 2023

4. Building digital, media and information literacy

Building digital, media, and information literacy is paramount in equipping in-
dividuals with the skills to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. Education
initiatives that teach critical thinking, source evaluation, and media literacy em-
power citizens to discern credible information from misinformation. By promot-
ing these skills from an early age and providing ongoing training for all segments
of society, communities can become more resilient to the effects of disinforma-
tion.

While each of these strategies offers valuable tools in the fight against disinfor-
mation, their effectiveness lies in their coordinated implementation. A holistic
approach that combines regulatory measures with efforts to promote transpar-
ency, access to information, media freedom, and digital literacy is essential in ad-
dressing the multifaceted challenges posed by disinformation.

Furthermore, collaboration between governments, civil society organizations,
technology companies, and international stakeholders is crucial in developing
and implementing effective strategies. Working together, stakeholders can share
best practices, coordinate responses, and leverage resources to mitigate the im-
pact of disinformation and protect the integrity of public discourse.

Challenges arising in regulating disinformation

Regulating disinformation presents numerous challenges. In its resolution
76/227, the General Assembly urged States to counter all forms of disinformation
through various policy measures, including education, capacity-building for pre-
vention and resilience, advocacy, and awareness-raising. However, the difficulty
in defining disinformation has led States to adopt a range of measures to combat
it. These measures have often sparked allegations of imposing undue restrictions
on freedom of expression, highlighting the delicate balance that must be main-
tained between combating false information and preserving fundamental rights.

Approaching the regulation of disinformation is fraught with challenges, par-
ticularly when seeking simple solutions to this complex issue. Such simplistic
approaches often risk censoring legitimate speech that is protected under inter-
national human rights law. Overbroad restrictions can exacerbate societal prob-
lems, increasing public distrust and disconnection, rather than addressing the
root causes of disinformation. Therefore, efforts to combat the impacts of disin-
formation must avoid imposing undue burdens on freedom of expression.

It is essential to recognize that not all inaccurate information is harmful. State
intervention should be reserved for cases where disinformation significantly im-
plicates public health, electoral processes, or national security. Regulation in this
area requires a carefully tailored approach that adheres to the principles of legal-

Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka
22