Statement on behalf of the Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania at the UNGA79 Fourth Committee on Questions relating to Information, General Debate
4 November 2024, New York
Madam Chair, Distinguished delegates!
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. We also align ourselves with the statement delivered by the European Union.
At the outset, let me thank the Department of Global Communication and Under-Secretary General Melissa Fleming for constantly strengthening the UN’s public communication efforts. We support essential work of the department.
Madam Chair,
Baltic States work to promote information integrity - an online environment that is free and open, but also safe and secure. Such environment is also a prerequisite for building resilience to foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation. On top of the constant efforts by the Baltic States, in 2025, Estonia will chair the Freedom Online Coalition to further promote these values.
Addressing the issue of information integrity is the key. In this regard, we welcome the Secretary General’s Global Principles on Information Integrity that were published this June.
It is important to clearly identify and hold accountable malign actors engaging in foreign information manipulation, interference and disinformation campaigns.
In order to ensure a healthy information environment, the Baltic States implement a broad set of measures, including support for independent media, raising public awareness and promoting media and information literacy. Media organisations and civil society in the Baltic States are also very active in implementing innovative media literacy projects, including training for media professionals and journalists, outreach to schools, developing children’s books and media literacy games for young audiences. Special programs are also designed for senior citizens. The Baltic Centre for Media Excellence provides a bright regional example. It uses new approaches to developing media, journalism and media literacy in the Baltic States and beyond.
We also actively work to address this issue in international fora. Latvia was among the initiators of the UN General Assembly resolution on Global Media and Information Literacy Week which was adopted in 2021. It is the first UN General Assembly resolution on media and information literacy to also call for action against the spread of disinformation and misinformation. We strongly encourage the active use of this week to raise awareness of disinformation and effectively communicate crucial aspects of Media and Information Literacy.
Madam Chair,
Strengthening independent, pluralistic media should be at the center of our common efforts. At the international level, the Baltic States – both governments and civil society - support independent media in the European Eastern Neighbourhood, including Ukraine.
On the global scene, government policies should foster a diverse media landscape by prioritizing media freedom and protecting journalists. At the same time, individuals can support independent media by subscribing, donating, and sharing accurate information.
Madam Chair,
Democracies need to act together to address disinformation, especially spread by foreign actors who seek to undermine our institutions and societies. The Kremlin uses disinformation and propaganda to prop up its aggression against Ukraine. But let us be clear, Russia is the sole responsible country for its aggression against Ukraine. Only Russia is to blame for the global consequences this war of aggression has caused in terms of disrupted food supplies, logistic networks, price hikes and millions displaced people. And yet, Russia’s global information manipulation campaigns seek to justify the illegal invasion. We hear many of these outrageous false narratives on a daily basis at the UN.
As it wages its global information manipulation campaign, the Russian government continues suppressing independent media and tightening the screws of digital censorship at home. Baltic States host and support significant groups of independent media from Russia. Despite being banned, exiled and threatened with persecution, they remain strongly committed to delivering facts and telling the truth to people inside Russia.
Madam Chair,
Let me turn to the impact of the rapid advances in artificial intelligence on our information environment.
The rising capabilities of generative AI offer unique opportunities, but also are a cause for concern. The ease and affordability of creating synthetic digital content, commonly known as "deep-fakes," pose a risk to societies and democratic processes, including elections. Use of AI to hypercharge dissemination of falsehoods can lead to an erosion of trust in the digital public sphere as a whole. Use of AI for algorithmic manipulation opens up for dangerous social engineering.
Enhanced collaboration between governments, civil society and technology companies is essential to unlock the potential of AI, while effectively preventing the risks. Our research institutions and civil society actors are already taking part in international efforts to develop practical solutions to this challenge. By fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue and facilitating exchange of knowledge and best practices across different regions we can ensure that no one is left behind.
Distinguished colleagues,
In conclusion, let me underline that the Baltic States will continue to actively work on our priorities: supporting independent media, promoting media and information literacy, safeguarding freedom of expression, and advancing information integrity worldwide. We will step up to ensure resilience of vulnerable groups and societies.
We also look forward to discussing further these and other issues, in the Committee on Information. Last two sessions Latvia had a pleasure serving as a vice-chair, and we are glad to inform that Estonia has expressed its interest in chairing the Committee for upcoming sessions in 2025 and 2026. We wish best of luck to Estonia and remain strong supporters of our joint efforts to advance information integrity.
I thank you!