2017-05-03

Fake news is the theme of Difference Day. It is a challenge of yesterday, today and tomorrow. As citizens, we claim the right to receive information and news that do not manipulate and mislead but empower us to think, form opinions and make choices. 

It is up to us and to our societies to decide where to go from here and how to deal with fake news. We need information through a diversity of media channels that connect us, challenge us and reflect the complexity of the world. We demand the promotion of media literacy and the citizen’s desire and the need for independent, professional and trustworthy media, including investigative journalism. It is a mission of public welfare to ensure the democratic health of our societies.
 
This Manifesto calls for action from the public, journalists, technology platform providers and policymakers.
 
THE PUBLIC
• The public shall insist that the information it receives allows it to be free and self- governing.
• The public should insist on easy access to official documents and access to diverse media sources.
• The public has to act responsibly when sharing and creating news and information.
• The public should exercise its right to criticise, dispute and correct published
information.
 
JOURNALISTS
• Journalists’ first obligation is to uncover truth, through thorough verification of all relevant facts and figures.
• Journalists must deliver high quality and trustworthy information to the public.
• Journalists must operate fully independent from those in power who they constantly
cover and monitor.
• Journalists must be transparent in their methodology and are at all times
accountable for their ethical conduct.
 
 TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM PROVIDERS
• Technology platform providers must in all their actions respect human rights and especially the right to freedom of expression and information.
• Technology platform providers must abstain from using algorithms that produce and spread fake news.
• Technology platform providers should provide reporting mechanisms that allow the public to report incorrect information.
• Technology platform providers shall only restrict access to content in a transparent, proportionate and non-discriminatory manner.
 
POLICYMAKERS
• Policymakers must enable and support a diverse media environment that enriches democratic society and enhances trust in journalism and must ensure adequately resourced independent public service media.
• Policymakers must effectively guarantee the right of access to official documents, and protect acts of newsgathering, journalistic sources and whistle-blowers.
• Policymakers must ensure independence of media authorities and promote media literacy, independent councils of media ethics and media ombudsmen.
• Policymakers shall only hold intermediaries liable for illegal third-party content when they exercise editorial responsibility or refuse to comply with an order by an independent and impartial oversight body or court.
 
This Manifesto was presented on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, 2017 at the Award Ceremony of Difference Day in Brussels.
This Manifesto was created by
- Ghent University
- Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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