The Global Forum of Networks, supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the I4T Knowledge Network, has launched the Pretoria Proposition for Action on Digital Platform Governance, which outlines a shared framework to advance human rights–based digital platform governance.
The Proposition represents a collective commitment and a shared framework for cooperation by regulatory authorities and institutions engaged in platform governance to advance multi-stakeholder approaches that uphold transparency, accountability, due diligence, user empowerment, and alignment with international human rights standards.
The proposition is the outcome of an International Conference on Digital Platform Governance held in Pretoria, South Africa, in February 2026, to address digital platform governance, which brought together regulatory authorities, governments, platforms, civil society organizations, and researchers.
The participants at the conference agreed that safeguarding freedom of expression, access to information, freedom of association, the right to privacy and the protection of diverse cultural expressions while addressing systemic risks requires key actions and a multi-stakeholder approach.
Endorsed by the Global Forum of Networks and its members, the Proposition draws directly from the principles set out in the UNESCO Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms (I4T Guidelines) and the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Action Plan for Digital Platform Governance.
Members of the Global Forum of Networks are the African Communication Regulation Authorities Network (ACRAN), the European Media Services Board (formerly ERGA), the European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (EPRA), the Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN), the Mediterranean Network of Regulatory Authorities (MNRA), the Platform of Ibero-American Audiovisual Regulators (PRAI), the Francophone Network of Media Regulators (REFRAM), and the Platform of Regulatory Authorities for the Media of Portuguese-Speaking Countries and Territories (PER).
The Proposition identifies key priorities, including strengthening regulatory cooperation, promoting transparency and accountability, empowering users, addressing systemic risks, and investing in research.
It also highlights initial actions such as peer-learning among regulators, coordinated media and information literacy initiatives, and the development of multilingual approaches.
Priority areas for strengthening digital platform governance outlined in the Proposition include enhancing regulatory capacity and cooperation, promoting transparency and accountability, protecting users and empowering communities, addressing systemic risks, and investing in research and evidence based policymaking.
Rather than proposing a one size fits all model, it offers a flexible roadmap, enabling each network and institution to contribute according to its mandate while reinforcing a shared, human rights–based vision for platform governance.
Over the next two years, Initial priority actions identified by participating members include:
• Establishing peer learning networks among regulatory authorities at regional and inter regional levels, enabling regulators to exchange insights on emerging challenges, enforcement experiences, practical solutions, and priority regulatory measures.
• Launching coordinated national MIL initiatives, developed in partnership with educators, media organizations, civil society, and platforms, to strengthen users’ ability to navigate digital environments safely and critically.
• Exploring the development of multilingual compliance approaches, where relevant to national contexts. Regulators may jointly define minimum requirements for multilingual platform governance in all languages with significant user bases, including criteria for culturally competent moderation, locally informed escalation pathways, and measurable expectations for coverage and response times.
The Proposition aims to catalyze sustained, collaborative progress toward safer, more transparent, and more accountable digital ecosystems worldwide.
