UNESCO Launches Global Course To Combat Disinformation Among Digital Content Creators

UNESCO has launched a global training course to help digital content creators address disinformation and online hate speech. With over 9,000 participants from 160 countries, this initiative focuses on fact-checking, ethical content creation, and collaboration with journalists. The course addresses gaps in digital literacy revealed by a UNESCO survey and promotes responsible practices in the information ecosystem.

UNESCO has launched an initiative to tackle the growing challenges of disinformation and online hate speech in the digital information landscape. This new effort introduces the world’s first global training course designed specifically for digital content creators. The survey involved 500 influencers from 45 countries, supported by research from Bowling Green State University (USA).

The programme aims to equip participants with essential skills to identify, verify, and counter false information while promoting responsible and ethical online practices. Developed in collaboration with the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas (USA), the course has already attracted significant global interest. Over 9,000 participants from 160 countries have registered for the month-long training, reflecting the urgent need for such resources among content creators worldwide.

Addressing disinformation through education

The UNESCO survey revealed that 62% of digital content creators do not conduct rigorous fact-checking before sharing information online, despite their role as key sources of news and perspectives. However, an encouraging 73% of respondents expressed a desire to learn these skills. To address this, UNESCO, in collaboration with the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, has developed the first-ever global training programme tailored specifically for influencers and content creators.

The four-week course is designed to equip participants with essential skills for sourcing, verifying, and presenting information responsibly. Throughout the programme, participants will gain expertise in the following areas:

Sourcing accurate and diverse information from credible sources.
Verifying the quality and authenticity of information before sharing.
Ensuring transparency by clearly citing sources that inspire their content.
Identifying, debunking, and reporting misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
Collaborating with journalists and traditional media to promote fact-based information.

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s Director-General, stated, “Digital content creators have acquired an important place in the information ecosystem, engaging millions of people with cultural, social or political news. But many are struggling in the face of disinformation and online hate speech and calling for more training. As part of its mandate for media and information literacy, UNESCO will support them through the first-ever global training course.”

Survey insights: A call for responsibility

The “Behind the Screens” survey, which involved 500 influencers across 45 countries, underscores the challenges digital content creators face when navigating the information ecosystem. Alarmingly, 42% of respondents identified social media metrics, such as “likes” and “shares,” as their primary credibility indicator, while others relied on personal connections or the reputation of the source. Only 36.9% considered mainstream news media a key resource.

The survey also uncovered a lack of awareness about regulatory frameworks, with 59% of respondents unfamiliar with their rights and responsibilities in the digital space. This knowledge gap exposes creators to potential legal risks and limits their ability to respond effectively to issues such as hate speech, which has targeted approximately one-third of creators. Despite this, only 20.4% reported incidents to social media platforms.

UNESCO’s vision: Building a global community

This training course is just the beginning of UNESCO’s broader vision. The organisation plans to establish a global network of digital content creators to share best practices, promote information integrity, and support media literacy on a large scale. Participants of the course will also gain insights into human rights standards, particularly regarding freedom of expression and information.

By addressing the need for credible and responsible digital content, UNESCO reinforces its leadership in countering the spread of disinformation. Its guidelines for governing digital platforms, published in 2023, continue to serve as a reference for governments and regulators worldwide.

With this initiative, UNESCO reaffirms its commitment to empowering content creators, supporting independent journalism, and enhancing media literacy to combat the growing challenges of the digital age.

About UNESCO

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, was established in 1945 to foster international collaboration in education, science, culture, and communication. With 194 Member States and 11 Associate Members, the organisation is headquartered in Paris and operates globally through a network of field offices and specialised institutes. It is best known for its World Heritage program, which identifies and safeguards cultural and natural sites of universal value, alongside its efforts to promote education as a fundamental human right and ensure equitable access to quality learning opportunities for all.

Beyond education and heritage, UNESCO addresses global challenges such as climate change, cultural preservation, and freedom of expression. Its initiatives include protecting intangible cultural heritage, promoting scientific research for sustainable development, and enhancing media literacy to combat misinformation. Guided by its founding principle, “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed,” UNESCO continues to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation to build a more peaceful and sustainable world.