2. International standards and platform commitments The media’s experiences of digital platforms during elections and in conflict zones must be measured against established international human rights frameworks and the commitments of those platforms to protect media freedom. This section outlines some of the applicable international standards and the platforms’ relevant policies. 2.1. UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) The UNGPs serve as the authoritative global standard for addressing human rights impacts linked to business activity. Several principles are directly relevant to the media’s experiences on digital platforms: • Principle 13 (Responsibility to Respect): This foundational principle mandates that companies must avoid causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts. This includes impacts caused by platforms through their moderation activities. • Principle 17 (Human Rights Due Diligence): Companies are required to identify, prevent, and mitigate risks. In the context of the Myanmar elections, international standards dictate “heightened” due diligence. This requires platforms to be more proactive in protecting vulnerable voices in a conflict environment. • Principle 31 (Effectiveness Criteria): This principle sets the benchmark for grievance mechanisms. It requires that platform content moderation appeals mechanisms be legitimate, accessible, predictable, equitable, and transparent. 2.2. UNESCO Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms The UNESCO Guidelines provide a framework for platforms to safeguard human rights while addressing online harms. The context-specific provisions, in particular, are essential for media operating in high-risk environments like Myanmar: • Electoral Integrity (Paras 131–141): Platforms are expected to conduct transparent and gender-responsive risk assessments ahead of elections. They must ensure algorithms do not block diverse viewpoints and must maintain public archives of political advertisements and their funding. • Emergencies and Armed Conflict (Paras 142–144): In conflict zones, platforms must conduct “heightened” human rights due diligence. Key Page 6 of 19