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What is on this page

There has been a rise in online misinformation and disinformation affecting racial and ethnic minority communities in NI. This briefing paper provides a human rights-based framework for understanding mis and disinformation in relation to racial and ethnic minorities and contextualises the issue as it pertains to NI.

Who is this page for?

  • Government
  • Political Representatives
  • Policy experts
  • Academics
  • Members of the Public
  • Organisations working on rights issues affecting ethnic minorities and migrants
  • NI Assembly
  • Civil Society Organisations

NIHRC Briefing Paper: Racial and Ethnic Minority Rights and Online Misinformation and Disinformation

Last Updated: Monday, 2 June 2025

Date produced: April 2025

Below is a summary of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's (NIHRC) recommendations and messages.
You can also download the full document through the links provided.

Summary recommendations/messages

The NIHRC recommends that:

  • The NI Executive and NI Assembly should take a human-rights-based approach to policy and legislation that considers and is able to address online misinformation and disinformation, and the harm caused to racial and ethnic minorities. In doing so, the NI Executive and NI Assembly must consider the full range of human rights standards.
  • The NI Executive should coordinate the establishment and ongoing actions of a multi-agency strategy. This should include the meaningful consultation of relevant stakeholders.
  • The NI Executive and NI Assembly should engage with civil society organisations in NI to better understand and tackle online misinformation and disinformation and its harm on racial and ethnic minorities.
  • The NI Executive should invest in initiatives that promote media literacy and encourage fact-checking online sources to build a higher resilience to misinformation and disinformation.
  • The NI Executive should ensure that its strategy is coordinated with initiatives across the UK and Ireland and be cognisant of the global risk and opportunities.

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