To join the Declaration, send the appropriate notice
to the RCC Executive Committee
at ecrcc@rcc.org.ru
DECLARATION
OF THE REGIONAL COMMONWEALTH
IN THE FIELD OF COMMUNICATIONS
ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF COUNTERING FALSE INFORMATION AND RESPONSIBLE FACT-CHECKING
We, who have joined the Declaration,
reaffirming paragraphs 55 to 59 of the Geneva Declaration of Principles (2003)[1], and also reaffirming paragraph 90 (o) of the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society (2005)[2];
recalling United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolution 76/227 on “Countering disinformation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms”(2021) [3];
bearing in mind the report of the UN Secretary-General “Countering disinformation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms” (2024)[4];
taking into account the principles of the Code of Responsible Fact-Checking of the International Fact-Checking Association[5];
taking into account the intensive development of modern information technologies and the spread of access to them throughout the world;
noting that the world's dependence on information and communications technologies (ICTs) continues to grow and that responsible behaviour by States in the use of ICTs is becoming increasingly important for the maintenance of international peace and security;
noting with regret that in the modern world the mass media often become an instrument for manipulating public opinion;
expressing its concern about the negative consequences of the spread of disinformation;
recognizing that the fight against disinformation must not violate human rights to freedom of thought and expression and must be carried out exclusively within the legal framework of national legislation and international obligations;
recognizing the imperative importance of ensuring that publications and reports correspond to actual events and that their verification is objective and impartial;
emphasizing the need to implement educational programs aimed at increasing the competence of Internet users in assessing information sources and identifying unreliable information;
reaffirming the commitment to take into account the diversity of cultures and traditions of their peoples, ensuring their citizens free access to various sources of information and the opportunity to form their own opinions based on the analysis of a variety of positions;
recognizing the need to strengthen international cooperation in the field of information verification;
noting the importance of coordinating joint actions to ensure the reliability of published information;
considering it necessary to create conditions in the region for technological independence and sustainability through the joint development of common strategies for regulating the digital sphere, increasing the level of cybersecurity and active participation in the international dialogue on issues of information and cyberspace;
aiming at further constructive and effective interaction in the creation of a secure and reliable information space free from the harmful effects of unreliable information,
1. Confirm the desire to create a reliable and trusted information space.
2. We reaffirm our commitment to respecting the rights and freedoms of our citizens, including the right to receive reliable information, freedom of opinion, and expression of one's own views, guaranteeing equal access to data regardless of political, social, or other differences.
3. We declare our intention to interact with each other and strengthen cooperation aimed at preventing the dissemination of false information through the exchange of experience and other methodological approaches.