Strategic use of the internet

Thai student protesters in the time of COVID-19: New generation, new forms of resistance online
Thai student protesters in the time of COVID-19: New generation, new forms of resistance online 22 June 2020 Chonthicha Jangrew for Coconet

In early 2020, Thailand saw a wave of student protests challenging the tenure and government of the Thai prime minister, but the pandemic forced a suspension of protests. How has social media been used in response?

EngageMedia: Monitoring the ruling on 2019 internet shutdowns in Papua and West Papua
EngageMedia: Monitoring the ruling on 2019 internet shutdowns in Papua and West Papua 15 June 2020 EngageMedia

Earlier this month, the Jakarta State Administrative Court declared as illegal the internet shutdowns in Papua and West Papua enforced by the Indonesian government in 2019.

Creating Safe Online Spaces for Women: Policy brief
Creating Safe Online Spaces for Women: Policy brief 12 June 2020 Liz Orembo and Mwara Gichanga

In response to the growing incidence of cyber harassment on Kenyan online platforms, KICTANet conducted a study to highlight the struggles of those affected by it, who are often women. The purpose of this policy brief is to understand the nature of cyber harassment and the existing policy gaps.

African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Coalition: Launch of position paper in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Coalition: Launch of position paper in response to the COVID-19 pandemic 11 June 2020 African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Coalition

The newly launched position paper, available in English, French and Portuguese, consolidates Coalition members’ assessment of, and positions on, the promotion, protection and exercise of human rights online in the context of COVID-19.

FMA: Human rights groups condemn Philippine Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, call for mass resistance
FMA: Human rights groups condemn Philippine Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, call for mass resistance 08 June 2020 Foundation for Media Alternatives

The House of Representatives has approved a controversial anti-terrorism bill and is rushing it through final reading. Human rights groups are condemning the grossly misplaced priorities of the Philippine Congress when the people are struggling with a global pandemic.

7amleh: Know your digital rights
7amleh: Know your digital rights 02 June 2020

7amleh has published the first guidebook to Palestinian digital rights in Arabic and English. “Know Your Digital Rights: Towards a Safe, Fair & Free Palestinian Digital Space” gives an overview of the digital rights of Palestinians.

Free online course on media freedom in Africa
Free online course on media freedom in Africa 29 May 2020 APCNews

The University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg is launching the third iteration of their online course Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression in Africa. The updated version includes a session on African media in the time of COVID-19 as well as the impact of the pandemic on journalists.

DEF: Chronology of rumours and misinformation during COVID-19
DEF: Chronology of rumours and misinformation during COVID-19 20 May 2020 Anoushka Jha and Osama Manzar

This research from the DEF tries to understand the chronology of events that started rumours, fake news and misinformation about COVID-19 that spread across India.

Community-led Connectivity: Assessing the potential of community network models in the context of forced displacement in East Africa
Community-led Connectivity: Assessing the potential of community network models in the context of forced displacement in East Africa 15 May 2020 Association for Progressive Communications (APC)

This report aims to further examine frameworks for extending access to connectivity out to refugees and their hosting communities, by exploring the potential of community-based approaches to provision of connectivity services.

Bottom-up Connectivity Strategies: What can we learn from the research to make advocacy for community networks more effective?
Bottom-up Connectivity Strategies: What can we learn from the research to make advocacy for community networks more effective? 14 May 2020

The research report "Bottom-up Connectivity Strategies: Community-led small-scale telecommunication infrastructure networks in the global South" explores the benefits of, and challenges facing, projects of this kind. This week we look at the recommendations that emerged from the research.

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