Agenda Item: Addressing State Narratives in Mass Communication: Disinformation, Public Manipulation, and Their Effects on Freedom of Expression and Social Cohesion

In today’s information age, power is no longer exercised only through laws or force but it is increasingly shaped through narratives. Across the world, state-controlled or state-influenced messaging can shape public perception, blur the line between truth and manipulation, and weaken democratic dialogue. When disinformation becomes normalized, it does not only distort facts; it erodes freedom of expression, fractures social trust, and threatens the stability of societies.

As part of the United Nations General Assembly, SOCHUM stands at the center of protecting fundamental human rights in an evolving digital and media landscape. Addressing this agenda means safeguarding the right to information, strengthening media integrity, protecting independent journalism, and ensuring that national security narratives are not used to justify censorship or public manipulation.

If disinformation continues to spread unchecked, societies risk losing not only truth, but also trust in institutions, in the media, and in each other. Protecting freedom of expression today is essential to preserving social cohesion and democratic stability tomorrow.