The Forum on Information and Democracy launches a civil society coalition with 42 non-governmental organizations from 24 countries

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The Forum on Information and Democracy announces the creation of a civil society coalition composed, to date, of 42 non-governmental organizations from 24 countries. These are associations and research centres known for their expertise and whose objectives are close to the Forum’s mandate (defence of democracy, digital rights, press and media freedom, civic space, human rights, etc.). Their scope of action is local, regional or international. 

For the implementation of democratic guarantees in the information and communication space, cooperation between states and civil society organizations is essential. In this framework, the coalition aims to formulate proposals to the Forum on Information and Democracy and to promote its work and recommendations on all continents. It cooperates with states for their implementation. 

“I am delighted by the number of organizations that are already committed to democratic guarantees in the digital space, by the support they are giving to the initiative and by their support for the recommendations made by the Forum, explains Christophe Deloire, president of the Forum on Information and Democracy and secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders (RSF). It is a recognition of the importance of our initiative and the vital issues it defends.”

The coalition’s objective is threefold and aims to:

On the occasion of the coalition’s launch, several organizations explained the reasons for their involvement. The World Movement for Democracy, a global network of civil society representatives: “The work is urgent, and vital to the future of democracy.” Defend Democracy, a foundation based in The Hague (Netherlands): “If we want democracy to survive, we need urgent democratic oversight, more transparency and accountability of big tech.” 

Ranking Digital Rights, a Washington-based organization behind the Corporate Accountability Index: “Civil society organizations are the bedrock of democracy. On the occasion of the first Summit for Information and Democracy, we call on the signatory states [of the Partnership] to work with our civil society coalition to advance human rights in the digital era.” The Bogotá-based Fundación Karisma, for its part, stresses that it “would also like to bring [their] voice, [their] local context and concerns to the discussions and debates on global information and communication topics.“

On the occasion of the Summit for Information and Democracy on 24 September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the coalition calls on the signatory states of the Partnership to cooperate with the Forum on Information and Democracy and the civil society coalition they form in implementing the recommendations made by the Forum. 

In the future, coalition members will be invited to participate in international events, launch joint public calls, contribute to collective and concerted advocacy efforts, network and share knowledge, and contribute to the Forum’s working groups. The secretariat of the Forum on Information and Democracy is responsible for facilitating the activities of the coalition. 

The list of organizations that are members of the coalition:

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