SRHR misinformation and digital platform governance

Digital and social media platforms are increasingly important sources of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information, particularly in contexts where stigma and other barriers may limit access to trusted information and services. At the same time, SRHR has become increasingly vulnerable to misinformation and disinformation, which can spread rapidly across digital spaces and pose significant challenges to access to accurate and reliable information. 

This dialogue will bring together actors across sectors to exchange on how social media and digital platforms shape the creation, amplification, and spread of SRHR misinformation and disinformation. Participants will exchange perspectives, build a shared understanding of the challenges, and share promising approaches to digital platform governance. The discussion will also identify opportunities for collective action to mitigate misinformation and disinformation and strengthen access to accurate and trustworthy SRHR information across digital spaces. 

The session aims to achieve the following objectives: 

• Exchange perspectives on how social media, including platform design, content moderation and other algorithms, shape the production, amplification and visibility of SRHR misinformation. 

• Examine questions around platform governance, including regulatory and platform-level measures to address SRHR misinformation. 

• Identify priority considerations and actions on platform governance for governments, platforms, international organisations and civil. 

The dialogue will generate: 

• Stronger cross-sectoral understanding of the perspectives, priorities and constraints among stakeholders working with digital platforms, ministries of health, civil society and researchers in addressing SRHR misinformation in digital spaces. 

• Actionable policy priorities for governments, regulators, technology platforms and international organisations. 

• Priority evidence and research gaps to inform future policy, guidance and research on SRHR misinformation and digital governance.