Disinformation, online gender-based violence (GBV), and hate speech greatly impact online civic space and democratic processes. Disinformation increases polarization, influences elections, and fuels violence. Meanwhile, online GBV and hate speech discourage and prevent women, girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, ethnic and religious minorities, and other communities from actively participating online. And yet, it is extremely difficult to accurately identify disinformation, hate speech, or misleading content. Some government responses to these harms have disproportionately curtailed freedom of expression. Governments should take steps to promote healthy and safe information ecosystems online while also protecting the exercise of online civic freedoms.
