UN Communications Chief Melissa Fleming Warns of Growing Global Crises, Rising Misinformation Threats

During an official visit to Egypt, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming participated in the “Voices of Impact” podcast, hosted by UNIC Cairo Deputy Director, Mohamed Elkoossy. 

In the interview, she emphasized that the international community is confronting a critical juncture characterized by escalating conflicts and the rapid proliferation of misinformation. She noted that these challenges are producing far-reaching humanitarian and geopolitical repercussions that demand coordinated global action.

Fleming highlighted that the worsening situations in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and other regions have displaced millions and exacerbated widespread suffering, underscoring that civilians remain disproportionately affected. She affirmed that United Nations agencies continue to work on the ground to deliver lifesaving assistance despite extremely challenging circumstances.

Addressing frequent misconceptions about the role of the United Nations, Fleming reiterated that political decisions — particularly those taken within the Security Council — rest with Member States. The UN Secretariat and agencies, she explained, are responsible for implementation and for providing humanitarian and development support, including food, shelter, healthcare, and education to the most vulnerable populations.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, Fleming stressed that the Secretary-General has consistently called for the protection of civilians, expanded humanitarian access, and the release of hostages. She noted his repeated meetings with the families of hostages and his continued efforts to understand their concerns and advocate on their behalf.

Fleming also issued a warning about the escalating threat of misinformation and disinformation across social media platforms, highlighting their role in fueling polarization, undermining public trust, and weakening democratic processes. She called for the adoption of the UN’s Global Principles for Information Integrity, stronger media literacy initiatives, and greater support for independent, fact-based journalism.

Expressing concern regarding harmful digital content targeting children and adolescents, Fleming emphasized the need for a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, educational institutions, digital platforms, and families to ensure safer online environments.

During her participation in the “Egypt Media Forum,” Fleming reaffirmed the central role of the media and stressed the importance of protecting the rights of journalists and content creators, particularly as artificial intelligence technologies continue to evolve. She underscored the need for fair compensation and respect for intellectual property, noting that AI models depend heavily on journalistic content.

Fleming further underscored the power of storytelling in raising awareness, explaining that individual human experiences often resonate more powerfully than statistics. She referenced the real-life account featured in her book, which recounts the survival of a young Syrian refugee girl following a tragic shipwreck — a story that illustrates the profound influence personal narratives can have on public perception of refugee issues.

She concluded with a message to young people, especially girls, encouraging them to pursue career paths that contribute to improving lives and advancing the well-being of humanity.