Author: Dr Richa Kumar, Trilateral Research
The UN has stated that threats to information integrity can have a negative impact on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report, 2025, noted that misinformation and disinformation as the top risks over the next two years for 2025 and 2027.
SDGs are meant to be universal, meaning they apply to all countries, not just developing nations. There are 17 goals cover a broad spectrum of issues such as health, education, climate change, gender equality, clean water and economic growth providing a framework for achieving a better and more sustainable future by 2030. These goals emphasise the interconnectivity of social, economic and environmental sustainability, highlighting that progress in one area often depends on progress in others. Although the goals are voluntary and not legally binding, countries are encouraged to integrate the SDGs into their national policies and frameworks and are expected to report progress through periodic reviews under the UN’s High-level Political Forum.
There is a distinction between various kinds of information manipulation, namely, disinformation, misinformation, fake news and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). However, all forms of manipulated information compromise access to trustworthy and reliable information which in turn hampers governance and achievement of SDGs. Assessing the impact of manipulated information on SDGs, the UN maps out how the achievement of every SDG is compromised. For instance, the achievement of good health and well-being (SDG3) was undermined during the COVID-19 pandemic as mis- and disinformation undermined public health measures and vaccination drives and risked the most vulnerable.
Achievement of gender equality (SDG 5) is harmed by fueling gender-based hate speech and disinformation to systematically subjugate women by silencing them and pushing them out of the public sphere as well as inciting physical violence against women. Further, manipulated information targeting LGBTIQ+ persons can have fatal consequences and prevent them from accessing appropriate support.
Fulfilment of peaceful and just societies and strong institutions (SDG 16) is disrupted by manipulated information as they have the potential to influence elections, public narratives and sow confusion and corrode the sanctity of our democratic processes. With the undermining of SDGs through the spread of manipulated information, the most vulnerable and the marginalised are left worse off. A glaring example of this was the disinformation drive against Rohingya refugees by a fake UNHCR social media account as well as TikTok leading to unprecedented levels of hostility and violence against them. The Rohingyas are amongst the most vulnerable ethnic groups in the world: stripped of their citizenship in Myanmar and forced to move and seek asylum in several countries in the region where they run the risk of further rejection due to the spread of online hate speech and manipulated information.
The ATHENA project aims to counter the spread of FIMI by making a contribution towards the preservation of information integrity. In our recent report analysing 32 cases of FIMI and the techniques, tactics and procedures (TTPs) used by perpetrators, we contributed to five SDGs. By explaining how attackers are undertaking their FIMI operations, the TTPs used and possible countermeasures, we contributed to SDG 3 on ensuring healthy lives and psychological well-being of citizens by making them aware of the impact of FIMI. By informing readers on the means knowing which countermeasures can be deployed against which FIMI threats, the report contributes to SDG 4 on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. By revealing in our FIMI case studies how sex has been an instrument for FIMI, we contribute to SDG 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The report contributes to SDG 10 on reducing inequality within and among countries by exposing and countering FIMI as one way of reducing inequality within and among countries in the information landscape. By providing information on how to counter FIMI and contribute to creating a framework to hold FIMI attackers accountable, we contribute to SDG 16 on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Recommendations based on our case studies can be found in a policy brief at: Policy-Brief-ATHENA.pdf.
Our forthcoming research outputs make robust contributions to SDGs: Through our trainings and media literacy programs, ATHENA will contribute to SDG 4 and promote quality education with an aim to empower citizens to enable them to critically evaluate information. By addressing gender specific FIMI and the exploitation of sex in FIMI, ATHENA will contribute to SDG 5 on gender equality and use our research findings to recommend robust gender specific policy measures and awareness programs. ATHENA outputs will contribute to SDG 10 on reducing inequality as FIMI has the potential to create and perpetuate social divisions and political and economic inequalities against marginalised communities such as racial minorities, migrants and LGBTIQ+ members. Our ATHENA technology development will contribute to SDG 9 by promoting sustainable industrialisation, innovation and infrastructure as we build path-breaking technology to counter disinformation. ATHENA outputs will contribute to SDG 16 on promoting peace, justice and strong institutions by creating transparency in manipulated information landscape and empowering citizens in their democratic spirit. This in turn will strengthen our democratic institutions and rule of law and our ATHENA outputs will contribute to equal access to transparent information which is critical to maintaining democratic integrity. ATHENA will contribute to SDG 17 by building partnerships and collaborations to fight FIMI. Our collaboration through the FIMI cluster provides us with an opportunity to leverage our knowledge on FIMI and share best practices strengthening our fight against FIMI.
ATHENA will contribute to the pursuit of the SDGs by embedding them in fairness, justice and respect for human rights in every action taken to address these challenges and ensure the preservation of information integrity to achieve SDGs.
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