On March 2, 2025, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the growing issue of information verification and online content moderation during his statement at the UN Human Rights Council. Guterres expressed deep concern over setbacks in these areas, highlighting their role in fostering increased hatred and violence on social media platforms.
According to Guterres, the deterioration of content moderation practices has deterred individuals from engaging freely on social media due to fears of harassment and aggression. He warned, "The recent setbacks in information verification and content moderation on social media are reopening the doors to more hate, threats, and violence. Let there be no mistake. These setbacks will lead to less freedom of expression, not more, as people are increasingly afraid to engage with these platforms." This situation not only stifles individual expression but raises alarming questions about the future of public discourse online.
Guterres emphasized the dual nature of social media, depicting it as both potentially positive and detrimental. He noted, "At best, social media can be spaces for respectful idea exchange; at worst, they can become arenas of flagrant ignorance—a place where the poisons of misinformation, racism, misogyny, and incitement to hatred are not only tolerated but often encouraged." The current social media environment is marked by rising fears, which contribute to decreased free speech and participation.
The UN Chief's remarks came shortly after Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta, announced the discontinuation of the company's fact-checking program aimed at combating misinformation on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Instead, users will soon be able to add contextual notes to posts, encouraging self-regulation over professional oversight. Guterres criticized this move, pointing out the inherent risks of replacing journalistic fact-checking with user-generated content moderation, which could lead to increased dissemination of unchecked information.
Under the new system, misinformation could proliferate since users may lack the necessary expertise to offer reliable corrections. The UN's concerns are underscored by Meta's recent stabilization of its content moderation thresholds and efforts to minimize diversity initiatives. Guterres remarked, "These changes are alarming, as they may pave the way for toxic content to thrive unchecked."
The sentiments echoed by Guterres are reflected across various sectors of society, including health and agriculture, particularly as seen with the management of food safety alerts from countries like Vietnam. The Deputy Director of the SPS Office of Vietnam, Ngo Xuan Nam, highlighted the imperative of sharing accurate information concerning agricultural products to maintain competitive integrity and uphold the nation's reputation on the global stage.
Ngo emphasized, "The safety and sanitary standards of Vietnamese agricultural products are among the best, and we must avoid incomplete communication about warnings, which can lead to unfair competition. Each alert must specify the date, type of product, and level of risk to provide clear guidance to both consumers and producers." This proactive approach to communication is necessary to preempt misunderstandings and protect the interests of Vietnamese exporters.
Guterres’ admonitions are part of a broader narrative concerning the integrity of information sharing online and its impact on societal norms. The challenge of misinformation is not only pertinent to platforms like Facebook but extends to all spheres of public discourse—including agricultural communications articulated by stakeholders like Vietnam's SPS Office. Both Guterres and Nam promote transparency and accountability as fundamental aspects of information dissemination, reinforcing the need for vigilance against misleading narratives.
To augment this transparency, the SPS Office aims to categorically classify risks associated with food safety alerts and maintain constant communication with authorities to relay notices effectively. Regular updates and transparent processes are seen as pivotal measures to combat misinformation and assure consumers of product safety. Nam reiterated the importance of adhering to established standards, stating, "Our goal is to improve compliance within our agricultural sector and uphold the quality of Vietnamese products in international markets. This is achievable only through clear, organized communication of any warnings we might encounter."
Both Guterres and Nam’s remarks reveal the overlapping challenges of misinformation, fear of violence, and the strain on public trust across both digital and agricultural spheres. The convergence of these discussions prompts society to reflect on how best to advance fact-checking and content moderation not only to empower safe communication but also to mitigate the risks of harmful misinformation. The intertwined futures of free expression and information integrity highlight the urgency of adapting our approaches to dialogue, accountability, and the safeguarding of truth.