UN Chief Calls for 'Global Censorship Framework' to Curb 'Hate Speech and 'Misinformation'

AP Photo/Richard Drew

In another display of "we're no longer trying to hide it," on Tuesday, the leftists at the United Nations called on governments around the world to curb what they deem to be "hate speech" and "disinformation" from online sources. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the world's governments to “rein in hate speech and disinformation spreading online” through what he described as a "global censorship framework." Guterres stated that "unchecked digital platforms" -- translation, platforms we don't like -- were stoking "the worst impulses of humanity," translation, saying things we don't like. Guterres claims the alleged hate speech and disinformation "threatens global stability and world peace."

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Guterres made his comments at the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations global forum in Portugal, stating that disinformation was one of his priorities for the gathering. Not ironically, on the same day that the U.N. Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced a worldwide initiative aimed at "educating" online social influencers on how to avoid what the U.N. believes is misinformation. UNESCO's attempt at censorship is not new. They launched a program in 2023 that would implement global censorship guidelines designed to, again, silence what they deemed "hate speech." 

U.N. leaders were also at the recent G20 Summit in Brazil, putting pressure on nations to quell "disinformation" using...wait for it...a program that promotes “information integrity on climate change.” Not surprisingly, this is not just about "disinformation." Also, not surprisingly, Guterres couched his call for global censorship in preventing such things as antisemitism and anti-Muslim and anti-Christian speech, saying:

“We must rein in hate speech and disinformation spreading online. Hate-filled frenzies are perpetuating stereotypes and misconceptions. Misinformation and outright lies are fueling repulsive antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and attacks on minority Christian communities, among others.”

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However, the climate change information integrity program has been paired with uber-left Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has been more than willing to silence those who disagree with him by using the court system and police raids to intimidate conservative online voices. 

Guterres also blamed artificial intelligence (AI) for the spread of "hate speech." He, of course, had a solution to that. Nations can sign onto something called the "Global Digital Compact," which was rolled out in 2023 to combat “hate and lies in the digital space.” At the time, he described it as a: 

..."framework" for controlling online conversations by creating 'robust accountability criteria and standards for digital platforms and users to address disinformation, hate speech, and other harmful online content.

The Compact also gives the U.N. an unspecified "policing" role during elections. The subject of "fact-checking" was also discussed and how prevalent what UNESCO calls fact-checking is done by online influencers. Concerned UNESCO officials said:

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“The low prevalence of factchecking highlights their vulnerability to misinformation, which can have far-reaching consequences for public discourse and trust in media.”

So, what does this mean, if anything, for the United States? Nothing really. The United States has a delegate at the U.N. That will soon be Elise Stefanik, who will do a great job pushing American interests, but do the American people really give a fig what a bunch of Euroweenies at the U.N. think about freedom of speech in America? No, they don't. Freedom of speech American-style is something that the rest of the world has never and will never understand. It is not something that can be given and taken away here. It is first in our Bill of Rights for a reason. It is non-negotiable. Aside from those few who do get it and have immigrated here seeking it, only those who have been born here truly understand the importance of it. But the ultimate question is, who gets to determine what "hate speech" and "misinformation" are? The same Euroweenies who think they can somehow eliminate free speech in America just by issuing some U.N. edict? 

U.N. Chief Guterres and the rest of the leftists at the U.N. might intimidate other nations with initiatives with innocent-sounding names that are nothing more than global censorship, but Americans are not falling for it. 

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