The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has published the first drafts of two landmark African Guidelines on continental digital governance, developed with the support of UNESCO.
Now open for broad public consultations and stakeholder comments, these guidelines represent a milestone in embedding African realities and perspectives into global digital regulatory frameworks.
This milestone is championed by a key member of the M20 – Moxii Africa (formerly Media Monitoring Africa) and SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, which is a co-signatory to the Johannesburg Declaration.
Moxii and SOS have been instrumental driving forces behind the continental push for information integrity, media viability, and platform accountability.
The importance of framing issues of information integrity around Global South realities is a central thrust of the Johannesburg Declaration. When it comes to Artificial Intelligence, for instance, the declaration calls for recognition that sustainable development in Africa requires robust accountability mechanisms that prevent the entrenchment of technological dependencies.
These ACHPR guidelines are thus an important step in the crystallisation of global digital policymaking,
Adopted under the ACHPR’s 82nd Ordinary Session in March 2025, Resolutions 630 and 631 mandated the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, to establish robust oversight of technology companies.
Resolution 630 focuses on information integrity and independent fact-checking mechanisms, while Resolution 631 guarantees a strong public interest element across all digital platforms operating on the continent.
Over the past 18 months, extensive multistakeholder consultations across Africa — facilitated by UNESCO alongside Moxii and SOS — have ensured these frameworks reflect the lived experiences and regulatory needs of African nations.
With the draft guidelines now accessible in English, French, and Portuguese on the ACHPR website, stakeholders across civil society, academia, regulatory bodies, and the private sector are invited to contribute their insights before the consultation windows close. This open consultative process reinforces our shared commitment to building an internet for trust, accountability, and resilient public interest media across Africa and beyond.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Consultation for Res. 630 guidelines is open until 21 December 2026.
Consultation for Res. 631 guidelines is open until 8 January 2027.
Contributions can be submitted to [email protected]; [email protected].
- For more details, read the full announcement here: UNESCO-supported African Guidelines on information integrity and