IACHR Publishes Digital Inclusion and Internet Content Governance Thematic Report

In mid-July, the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFE) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) published a new thematic report on “Digital Inclusion and Internet Content Governance”, a document that analyzes the challenges of the public debate, content moderation, and the situation of digital inclusion and accessibility in the region with an emphasis on the literacy of digital civic skills.

According to their statement, the digital era has reconfigured the dynamics of freedom of expression and access to information. In this sense, the Internet, which initially emerged as a promising network for the democratization of information access, is currently facing significant challenges that are jeopardizing its ability to serve as a free, open and inclusive space.

The report prepared by the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression addresses these challenges, understanding the Internet’s crucial role and potential in the effective realization of human rights and the promotion of democratic societies, as well as the risks associated with its governance.

The document is based on principles of international human rights law and seeks to constitute a guide for states and other key actors in the promotion of an Internet accessible to all people without discrimination. The Office of the Special Rapporteur has incorporated contributions from various actors into the analysis, including states, the academia and representatives of the technology sector, reflecting a comprehensive and multifaceted perspective on the issues under discussion.

The report responds to the mandate given by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in 2022 through the Resolution on “Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Online”. It is part of the commitments made during the IX Summit of the Americas in 2022, where the OAS member states adopted the Regional Agenda for Digital Transformation.

You can download the full report here or read it online below: