Paris Declaration on Multilateral Action for Information Integrity and Independent Media.

1. On the occasion of the High-Level International Conference on Information Integrity and Independent Media, we, the undersigned governments, commit to fortifying multilateral action in support of information integrity and independent media. In times of increased polarization, violations of the right to freedom of expression, misinformation, disinformation, information manipulation, and hate speech, we commit to working together to hold the line and pledge to strengthen support and resources, including financing as appropriate, to safeguard free and reliable information worldwide.
2. Recognizing that independent and reliable information constitutes a shared public good essential for economic and social advancement and a foundational resource for our 21st century economy and society, and that, without reliable information, the most pressing economic, social, and environmental challenges of our times cannot be addressed  ;
3. Acknowledging that the spread of disinformation, information manipulation, and hate speech, including on the Internet, has a negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms  ; and that the threats to access reliable information jeopardize global economic prosperity, as noted by the High Level Panel on Public Interest Media  ;
4. Affirming that independent, trustworthy, and pluralistic journalism is the first line in countering disinformation and information manipulation  ;
5. Underlining that free and independent media play a central role in the provision of reliable information  ; that the financial crisis affecting independent media has led to a degradation of information integrity, and that public support is necessary to sustain reliable information  ;
6. Considering that fact-based and reliable information is even more central in light of the prominent role of global online and social media platforms in today’s information ecosystem, and of emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, and that while the use of artificial intelligence may serve as a valuable tool, it also risks further spreading disinformation  ;
7. Recognizing that the global information and communication space is a common good of humankind, and that a decline in information integrity in one part of the world affects all of us, and that addressing the threats to our information ecosystem requires both national and global action as well as multistakeholder cooperation  ;
8. Recalling our commitment to international human rights and principles on information integrity including the United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity, the Global Digital Compact, the Windhoek + 30 Declaration, the Global Declaration on Information Integrity Online, and the International Partnership for Information and Democracy  ;
9. Reaffirming that interconnected challenges can only be addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism, recognising the central role played by multilateral institutions and initiatives in support of information integrity such as the International Partnership for Information and Democracy, United Nations, UNESCO, the Media Freedom Coalition and Freedom Online Coalition  ; and welcoming among other initiatives the development of the International Fund for Public Interest Media as a multilateral vehicle designed to finance the provision of independent reliable information at scale, building on the example of similar mechanisms to support the effective delivery of essential global public goods.
10. We commit to  :
    1. Defending the principle that reliable, pluralistic and independent information is an essential public good for humankind, and upholding democratic principles in the global information space as defined in the International Partnership for Information and Democracy.
    2. Recognizing reliable information as a global public good requiring sustained public support, and committing to advance the provision of this public good and safeguard independent journalism through multilateral action, while fostering innovative and sustainable business models for the production and distribution of reliable information.
    3. Acknowledging threats to information integrity, including information manipulation and foreign interference, as a matter of national and collective security, and committing to invest in societal resilience, independent media, and the resilience of information systems as part of the larger effort to safeguard our nations.
    4. Strengthening multilateral and multistakeholder collaboration as an indispensable and effective means of safeguarding information integrity and independent media worldwide, and fortifying collective action through a coalition of States committed to shared values and support for independent media.
    5. Encouraging the development of the International Fund for Public Interest Media, a multilateral mechanism dedicated to safeguard and support free and independent media globally, to meet the scale of the challenge faced by independent journalism and counter investments in information manipulation.
    6. Inviting stronger synergies and coordination across multilateral, intergovernmental, and multistakeholder institutions and initiatives working on information integrity – enhancing effectiveness and overcoming fragmentation of efforts.
    7. Mainstreaming information integrity as a cross-cutting theme, recognising the importance of access to reliable information as a condition for achieving wider policy goals including social welfare, gender equality, crises and conflict resolution, inequality reduction, strengthening democratic norms, national security, promoting transparency, exposing illicit financial flows and combating corruption, and addressing the impacts of climate change.
    8. Working in partnership with civil society, media, academia, and the wider ecosystem to develop and implement already-existing and innovative solutions to uphold information integrity and protect independent media through relevant multilateral and multistakeholder fora, including the Forum on Information and Democracy.

The Declaration is endorsed by the undersigned governments  :

Albania
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Brazil1
Bulgaria
Chile
Croatia
Denmark
Estonia
France
Ghana
Greece
Iceland
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Sierra Leone
Spain
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uruguay