Committee on Information Informal Briefing by USG Melissa Fleming
Statement delivered by H.E. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia
22 April 2025, New York
Under-Secretary-General Fleming, dear colleagues,
Estonia looks forward to chairing the Committee on Information for the next 2 years and working with all member states, as well as the secretariat make best use of the committee to provide helpful guidance and support for the work of the Department of Global Communications. It is important ensure that the mandate we give to the DGC is updated, concrete and achievable.
I would like to thank USG Fleming for her excellent briefing and express our full support to the important work of the Department of Global Communications in leading the UN’s public communication efforts. During a time when misinformation, disinformation and hate speech are threatening the achievement of our common goals, your work on safeguarding information integrity is of particular value. The UN must remain a reliable, trustworthy source of information. The UN Global Principles for Information Integrity are an important tool in this regard, which can and should serve as useful guidelines for stakeholders across the world. It is important to address the responsibility of States to ensure a healthy information environment and refrain from using foreign information manipulation and interference.
Under-Secretary-General, colleagues, as the Global Principles on Information Integrity recognise, independent, free and pluralistic media is essential for maintaining a healthy, resilient information ecosystem. Unfortunately, media freedom is increasingly endangered worldwide. Estonia is currently co-chairing the Media Freedom Coalition, leading the coalition in its mission to protect and promote the human rights of journalists and media workers around the world. We also have a strong track record when it comes to media freedom, constantly ranking in the top 10 of the World Press Freedom Index. We look forward to engaging with the DGC and committee on how the UN can best support free media around the world.
Finally, distinguished colleagues, as we approach the substantive session of the committee, I remain at your disposal to discuss how to address all delegations’ priorities and work towards the best consensus-based outcome. I count on your most valuable support and constructive engagement in this regard.
Thank you.