The Forum on Information and Democracy is the operational body of the International Partnership for Information and Democracy, an agreement signed by 50 countries worldwide. It works to address issues like disinformation, algorithmic transparency, and content moderation policies in social media, search engines, and other influential digital platforms. The Forum provides policy recommendations to governments and promotes self-regulation among private entities to protect democratic principles in the digital era. ¹

Overview

Founded as an initiative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Forum on Information and Democracy aims to combat threats to freedom of opinion and expression in the information space. Its work aligns with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, emphasizing transparency, pluralism, and accountability as core principles for communication systems. The Forum has been publicly supported by figures like United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has praised its role in addressing the challenges posed by technology. ²

Activity

The Forum on Information and Democracy advocates for more democratic control over artificial intelligence. In February 2024, it published the report “AI as a Public Good: Ensuring Democratic Control of AI in the Information Space,” which made policy recommendations. The Forum asserted that AI systems must be regulated to prevent the manipulation of public discourse and to uphold democratic values. ³

The Forum also actively supports media pluralism, which refers to the presence of diverse and independent voices in the media landscape, ensuring no single entity dominates public discourse. It believes independent journalism to be at risk of collapse without intervention. Its 2021 report “A New Deal for Journalism” called for legislative action, financial investment, and collaboration among governments, media organizations, and civil society. The Forum positions itself as a strong advocate for policies that counter the monopolization of information and protect the sustainability and diversity of journalism.  ^{1 4}

Under the leadership of Christophe Deloire, the Forum has been involved in protecting journalists and advocating for press freedom. Deloire’s efforts included direct negotiations to free imprisoned journalists and facilitating safe havens for reporters at risk. In a notable case, he orchestrated the escape of Russian broadcast journalist Marina Ovsiannikova in 2022 after she publicly criticized the war in Ukraine. ⁵

Leadership

Christophe Deloire worked as the Forum on Information and Democracy’s president from its establishment in 2018 until his death in June 2024. Deloire was a veteran journalist, previously serving as the secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders and as director of the Centre de Formation des Journalistes (CFJ). ⁶

During Deloire’s tenure, Nighat Dad held the position of vice-president and simultaneously worked as executive director of the Digital Rights Foundation. Leon Willems worked as the Forum’s treasurer and also worked as the director of Free Press Unlimited.  ⁷

Funding

The Forum on Information and Democracy’s financial backing comes from a range of governmental and private organizations, including the Ford Foundation, Agence Française de Developpement (AFD), the Future of Life Institute, Luminate, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the Swedish Postcode Foundation, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. ⁸

1. “Recommendations from the Forum on Information and Democracy to Promote Pluralism Online.” RSF, rsf.org/en/recommendations-forum-information-and-democracy-promote-pluralism-online. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
2. “Information and Democracy.” RSF, rsf.org/en/information-and-democracy. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
3. Vergnolle, Suzanne. “New Report of the Forum on Information and Democracy: More than 200 Policy Recommendations to Ensure Democratic Control of Ai.” Digital Regulation, Digital Regulation, 29 Feb. 2024, regulation-tech.cnam.fr/report/.
4. A New Deal for Journalism, informationdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ForumID_New-Deal-for-Journalism_16Jun21.pdf. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
5. “Christophe Deloire, the Head of Media Freedom Group Reporters Without Borders, Has Died. He Was 53.” AP News, AP News, 10 June 2024, apnews.com/article/reporters-without-borders-director-dies-57c01ca8ae462a531a527e6d7639ae12.
6. “Christophe Deloire.” LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophe-deloire-648b393/details/experience/.
7. “The Forum on Information & Democracy.” Forum Information & Democracy, 26 Sept. 2024, informationdemocracy.org/forum/#mandate.
8. “Working Groups – Forum on Information & Democracy.” Forum Information & Democracy, 2 Oct. 2024, informationdemocracy.org/fr/they-support-us/.