Levits took part in a discussion on media freedom and thanked the Reporters Without Borders movement, which brought together media and civil society at the forum. In his speech, he emphasized the close link between democracy and freedom of expression, saying:
"Democracy and information are two sides of the same coin - they are key elements in free, democratic and rule-based societies."
According to the presidential press office he also noted the threats to democracy posed by misinformation and manipulated information, drawing attention to the fact that new technologies offer many opportunities for the development of societies in the world, but “at the same time, we face new risks to our security, privacy and democracy. Disinformation is a social and political challenge '.
According to Levits, the fight against misinformation in the democratic world requires strengthening media pluralism, raising public awareness of the phenomenon, raising media literacy, strengthening strategic communication, and using the rule of law and justice: "Europe needs a coordinated long-term approach," he said.
The Paris Peace Forum was established in 2018 at the initiative of French President Macron as a high-level discussion format aimed at promoting international cooperation. During the Paris Peace Forum, President Levits attended the inauguration ceremony and handed the organizers a gift - a photograph of the Baltic Way.
#Latvia's?? President Mr. Egils Levits @valstsgriba participates at the opening of the 40th Session of the #UNESCO General Conference #unescoGC @Rigas_pils pic.twitter.com/YP9PHaJ5O3
— Latvia in OECD and UNESCO / Latvija OECD un UNESCO (@LatviaOECD) November 12, 2019
Nor was that the end of his engagements for the day as in the afternoon President LEvits could be found attending the openig of the 40the session of the UNESCO General Conference, also in Paris.
