News


December 13, 2023 drone

Journalism and technology: the use of drones for news gathering in Africa

Nompilo Simanje

Journalism has rapidly evolved over the years thanks to advancements in technology that have produced new tools and techniques for…

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November 30, 2023 AI and Elections

Where does the buck stop with Generative AI-ing Elections ?

Sapni G K

The world has quietly moved on from the protests against a member of the ruling political party in India’s parliament after MP…

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November 30, 2023 Photo by SIM Registration Network

Digital transformation? First 500 days under New Marcos

Mac Andre Arboleda

It’s been more than a year since Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. was inaugurated as the President of the Philippines, after winning an…

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November 28, 2023 Piece by Mac Andre Arboleda

​​Countervisions: Art in contested digital spaces

Mac Andre Arboleda

In the making and remaking of digital spaces, artists have always played a big role. When I talk about artists in this context, I…

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October 12, 2023 Leaders in Sao Paolo

Southeastern Europe Regional Discussion on UN Global Digital Compact

Marko Paloski

Authoritarians around the world increasingly use digital technology for malign purposes, and despite continuous human rights…

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July 28, 2023 Earth

An Intervention for Digital Rights in West Africa

There has never been a more crucial time for an intervention against the threats to digital rights across the globe. Across…

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May 04, 2023 Earth

Introducing the Submission to the Global Digital Compact

2022 Leaders

This submission to the Global Digital Compact seeks to contribute to the global discourse on the open and democratic internet, while…

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December 01, 2022 Right to Information logo on a white background

Using Right to Information as a Tool for Global Advocacy

Radhika Jhalani

The right to information (RTI) is an important tool for advocacy worldwide. In authoritarian regimes, access…

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November 29, 2022 A photo of Nepal's legislative building.

Online Freedom of Expression in the Legislative Framework of Nepal

Ananda Gautam

Freedom of expression is often referred to as one of the crucial components of democratic governments. It is…

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July 14, 2022 Frank Ategeka facilitating a session on internet for adolescent girls and women (beneficiaries of the Rural Aid Foundation digital rights project)

The impact of internet shutdowns and connectivity challenges on democratic participation in Uganda

Frank Ategeka

Uganda has seen a significant rise in internet users over the past decade, which is in large part due to…

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June 30, 2022 Photo: Kris Thomas

The Increasing Demand for Democratic Rights Online: A Case Study From Sri Lanka

Salma Razick

Photo by Kris Thomas

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis ever and…

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April 28, 2022 Digital security training offered by the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK). Photo courtesy of Lourdes Walusala.

Online Violence Against Women: In Whose Hands Are Journalists Safe?

Lourdes Walusala

A couple of years ago, I lost my first child due to a pregnancy-related complication. This experience ignited…

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March 24, 2022 Un bandera venezolana diciendo "No a la censura".

Derechos Digitales y Democracia: Censura en Internet en Venezuela

David Aragort

Durante los últimos años Venezuela ha experimentado diversas crisis en las que el acceso a información…

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March 24, 2022 A banner saying "No to censorship".

Digital Rights and Democracy: Online Censorship in Venezuela

David Aragort

In recent years, Venezuela has experienced many crises during which access to reliable and timely information…

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December 16, 2021 Earth

CIMA Q&A with Yohannes Eneyew Ayalew: The Dangers of Media “Ethnification” in Ethiopia

CIMA Staff

In a year of civil war, thousands of Ethiopians have been killed, millions have been forced from their homes,…

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September 30, 2021 A graphic of a woman sitting down hiding while hands from the digital world point and mock her.

Can Legislation Address Online Gender-Based Violence in Namibia?

Nashilongo Gervasius

The idea of an open internet is hinged on the tenet that all citizens can freely voice their opinions,…

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September 29, 2021 Screenshot of the Zoom webinar held with 2020 Open Internet Leaders

September 15, 2021 Photo by Kati at @xilophotography

The New Censorship: Why Protecting Journalists Online from Harassment is Critical to Press Freedom

Gideon Sarpong

The rise of social media platforms provides many opportunities to the more

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August 11, 2021 A picture of a smartphone with a COVID-19 tracking app open

Tracking the Tracking Apps: COVID-19 in SEE+: Action Items for Future Pandemics

Meri Baghdasaryan

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of public life. Virtually unprecedented, the public…

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August 05, 2021 Democracy that Delivers #276 image of Sheilah Birgen with podcast hosts

Podcast Announcement: Advancing Data Privacy and Protection in Kenya

Sheilah Birgen

On August 4, 2021, Open Internet for Democracy Leader (Leader)

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July 26, 2021 Image of the interior of Armenia's National Assembly

Armenia’s new digital disinformation bills threaten free speech and press freedom

Meri Baghdasaryan

In the wake of a recently reignited war with Azerbaijan in 2020, concerns about the spread of digital…

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July 21, 2021 Person holding a mobile phone with a screen that indicates contact tracing is taking place

Developing and Deploying New Technologies with Privacy in Mind: A Case Study on Contact Tracing Applications in Latin America

Paola Galvez

During the COVID-19 pandemic, contact tracing applications have been viewed around the world as a sound…

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July 01, 2021 A crowd gathered to protest, with a person holding a Nigerian flag

April 20, 2021 Image of Paola Galvez at IGF Berlin

How to Contribute to Global and Local Conversations on Internet Governance

Paola Galvez

In recent decades, citizens around the world have continuously relied on the internet to engage with one…

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April 07, 2021 image of internet access error message with a warning symbol over map of Africa

Internet Shutdowns and the Future of African Democracy: What More Can We Do?

Catherine Muya

Kenya will hold its general election next year in 2022, and I can’t stop wondering if the government will dare…

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March 02, 2021 A community leader from Digital Grassroots in front of a classroom, training his community on digital literacy.

Is Digital Inequality a Justice Issue?

Esther Mwema

When we start to think of digital rights as human rights, it transforms digital inequality into an issue of injustice. As…

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February 24, 2021 An image of a system lock console background from Yuri Samoilov on Flickr. (yuri.samoilov.online/)

How Big Tech’s Content Moderation Policies Could Jeopardize Users in Authoritarian Regimes

Gideon Sarpong

Social media advocates have historically lauded its ability to facilitate democratic progress by connecting…

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February 09, 2021 Infographic displaying blog title

The Internet in 2030: Digital Rights Experts on the Decade Ahead

Open Internet for Democracy Initiative

The internet is a constantly evolving technological platform. It’s unlikely that when the very first internet…

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January 29, 2021 Earth

Report: The Shrinking Space for Media Freedom in Southeast Europe

Dr. Rumena Filipova, Dr. Ognian Shentov, and Ruslan Stefanov

This blog and the associated report was fully produced and published by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD). Editor of the report, Ruslan…

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January 28, 2021 Image of a phone and computer overlaid with "Data Privacy Day 2021: #PrivacyAware"

Data Protection and Privacy in the Absence of Law: A Namibian exploration during COVID-19

Nashilongo Gervasius

In 2006, the Council of Europe launched "Data Protection Day" to commemorate the anniversary of the 1981 passage of Europe's data protection bill…

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October 28, 2020 REPORT: THE STATE OF INTERNET FREEDOM IN AFRICA 2020

REPORT: THE STATE OF INTERNET FREEDOM IN AFRICA 2020

CIPESA

On September 29, 2020, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) released a new report, State of…

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September 22, 2020 globe

PRESERVING AN OPEN INTERNET IN LESOTHO THROUGH A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE

Thato Mochone

Open Internet for Democracy Leader, Thato Mochone, shares the outcomes of a virtual multi-stakeholder dialogue aimed at initiating…

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September 09, 2020 Venezula internet drop infographic

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIGHLIGHTED VENEZUELA’S DROP IN INTERNET PENETRATION

Margaret López

What happens during a national health emergency when citizens don’t have access to the internet? People in Venezuela are finding out as…

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September 03, 2020 Earth

A WHIRLWIND OF INFORMATION: THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISINFORMATION AND MISINFORMATION DURING A PANDEMIC

Thato Mochone

Open Internet Leader, Thato Mochone examines how governments in Southern Africa are utilizing the disinformation and misinformation surrounding…

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August 27, 2020 Open Internet Nigeria

MULTI-STAKEHOLDER INSIGHTS ON PROTECTING AN OPEN INTERNET: A PERSPECTIVE FROM NIGERIA

Gift Agboro

To spark conversations that address policies restricting an open internet in Nigeria, I hosted a roundtable discussion in Abuja, Nigeria, earlier…

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July 15, 2020 Earth

CONSTITUTIONALISM, THE RULE OF LAW & DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: A CONVERSATION WITH PROFESSOR THULI MADONSELA

Mary-Jean Nleya

South African Professor Thuli Madonsela discusses the rule of law in the age of COVID-19, including important considerations around data…

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May 27, 2020 face showing metrics for measurement by artificial intelligence scanners

THE TWIST OF FATE, OR ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FACIAL RECOGNITION IN DEMOCRATIC POST-GDPR EUROPE

Olga Kyryliuk

The use of facial recognition technology is on the rise, particularly among governments who claim that it helps keep their citizens safer. But how…

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May 26, 2020 global internet

Responses to Tackling COVID-19: State of Emergency, Rule of Law & the Public Good

Mary-Jean Nleya

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has led many governments to enact emergency measures that temporarily expand their powers in an effort to combat and…

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April 16, 2020 global internet

DISINFORMATION AND ITS IMPACT ON SOCIETY: A CASE STUDY FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Gift Agboro

Disinformation can also have less immediately visible but equally dangerous results that undermine democracy by distorting public discourse and…

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April 07, 2020 The worst part of censorship is everything is fine trust your government

UKRAINE WANTS TO FIGHT DISINFORMATION BY INTRODUCING DE-FACTO CENSORSHIP

Olga Kyryliuk

Ukraine's proposed legislative amendments raise concerns about the future of freedom of speech and the free flow of information.

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October 28, 2019 globe with speech bubbles all over it

THE NEED TO UNDERSTAND OUR DIGITAL RIGHTS IN OUR OWN LANGUAGES

Eduardo Carrillo

The fight towards a free and democratic internet has numerous battlefields, but equally important is the creation of a network representative of…

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October 21, 2019 Botswanna voting photo

AS BOTSWANA HEADS TO THE POLLS, COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS HIGHLIGHT NEED TO STRENGTHEN MEDIA AND DATA LAWS

Mary-Jean Nleya

An electorate ought to be empowered to make their own political and socio-economic decisions, and as such, a public sphere where information is…

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October 17, 2019 internet freedom freepress photo

THE ROLE OF MULTI-STAKEHOLDER COALITIONS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DIGITAL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Kathleen Ndongmo

With a marked increase in digital rights violations across the African continent since 2016, citizens have found various ways to protest against…

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October 07, 2019 phillippines internet photo

THREATS TO DEMOCRACY ONLINE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Mary Rose Ofianga Rontal

How is a lack of multistakeholder discussions, a digital divide, and pro-surveillance legislation impacting the internet in the Philippines?…

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September 30, 2019 paraguayan flag

TECHNICAL FAILURES THAT MUZZLE: CENSORSHIP ON FACEBOOK OF THE WORKERS' PARTY IN PARAGUAY

Eduardo Carrillo

How can Facebook's Community Standards harm freedom of expression in a global context? This case study from Paraguay explores this topic.…

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August 27, 2019 AI Robot looking back at camera over his shoulder, kind of creepy

IS AI ETHICAL?

Iness ben Guirat

The growth of artificial intelligence has raised numerous concerns about its ethicality. What should users be on the lookout for - both positive…

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June 17, 2019 open internet principles photo

THE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES FOR AN OPEN INTERNET AS A FRAMEWORK FOR DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURS

Mary Rose Ofianga

To promote a deeper understanding of internet governance and digital rights by local communities in the Philippines, Womenpowered Digital and ICT…

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May 22, 2019 digital rights photo

THE FIVE-STEP APPROACH TO CONDUCTING A DIGITAL RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

Mary Rose Ofianga

Imagine you are a digital rights organization that has developed a series of materials on digital rights literacy, and now your organization is…

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May 15, 2019 open internet Africa

THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS ON AFRICAN ECONOMIES

Kathleen Ndongmo

If internet shutdowns become the norm across Africa, the economic development of the continent will severely stagnate, as a large majority of…

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May 06, 2019 code photo

HOW TECH COMMUNITIES CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SHAPING THE INTERNET WE WANT

Mary Rose Ofianga

Being experts in the design and use of internet platforms, tech communities can provide valuable insights for policymakers on the development of…

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January 30, 2019 CheSnowden img

THE FIGHT FOR PRIVACY

Iness Ben Guirat

The pervasiveness of digital technology has exponentially increased the potential for intrusions into personal privacy, but users are often…

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December 13, 2018 emoji photo

APP SECURITY FLAWS COULD CREATE ADDED RISKS FOR LGBTQI COMMUNITIES

Eduardo Carrillo

Are apps and websites that cater to vulnerable communities failing to adequately address the inherent security risks faced by their users?

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November 29, 2018 Earth

WHAT NEXT FOR ADVOCACY AGAINST NETWORK DISRUPTIONS?

The Global Network Initiative's (GNI) David Sullivan summarizes the joint GNI and Open Internet for Democracy Initiative-led session at the 2018…

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October 16, 2018 Earth

WHY ARE PAKISTANIS UNABLE TO CONNECT WITH THE DIGITAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT?

ByTalal Raza

Despite the fact that nearly 50 million Pakistanis now use the internet and the number of cybercrime cases is increasing, why do some people in…

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February 08, 2018 Earth

IGF 2017 RECAP: WHY OPEN INTERNET MATTERS FOR DEMOCRACY

At the Internet Governance Forum, CIPE discusses inclusive online dialogue, disinformation, and democratic governance.

From the post:…

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December 21, 2017 Earth

WATCH THE IGF PANEL ON THREATS TO DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES ONLINE, 12/21/17

The panel will include discussions of technical censorship and throttling by ISPs, the legal implications of surveillance and cyber laws, and the…

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November 15, 2017 Earth

NEW CASE STUDIES HIGHLIGHT CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONSES TO INTERNET THREATS

CIMA's new digital report provides on the ground examples of groups that have successfully fought for policies and norms that strengthen Internet…

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November 07, 2017 Earth

NEW INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS NEEDED TO PROTECT THE OPEN INTERNET

NDI requests suggestions and inputs on the draft open internet principles framework to ensure its contents are led by diverse stakeholders.

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October 26, 2017 Earth

OPEN INTERNET PRINCIPLES FOR DEMOCRACY: PUTTING MEDIA FREEDOM FRONT AND CENTER

CIMA seeks input on open internet principles for media stakeholders and real-world examples of what they look like in practice.

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September 19, 2017 Earth