Access to information

Social media’s response to COVID-19 misinformation
Social media’s response to COVID-19 misinformation 21 April 2020 Carmen Ferri

While social media sites tend to respond slowly or not at all to misinformation on their platforms, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many have taken steps to address and stop the spread of misinformation, as well as to steer users towards reliable sources of information and support.

VOICE: The whole-of-society approach to the COVID-19 pandemic
VOICE: The whole-of-society approach to the COVID-19 pandemic 20 April 2020 VOICE

Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment (VOICE), an APC member organisation in Bangladesh, argues that an inclusive approach featuring all sectors of society is required to beat COVID-19. 

Unwanted Witness: Internet barriers constrain the work of Ugandan human rights defenders amidst COVID-19 pandemic
Unwanted Witness: Internet barriers constrain the work of Ugandan human rights defenders amidst COVID-19 pandemic 20 April 2020 Unwanted Witness

With the COVID-19 pandemic, people everywhere are asked to cease physical interactions and the internet has become the lifeline for the work of human rights defenders currently working from home. What does this mean in Uganda, a country with low internet access?

Civil society comments on Kenya's "Draft Dynamic Spectrum Access Framework for Authorisation of the Use of TV White Spaces"
Civil society comments on Kenya's "Draft Dynamic Spectrum Access Framework for Authorisation of the Use of TV White Spaces" 17 April 2020 Various

In March 2020, the Communications Authority of Kenya invited comments on the Draft Dynamic Spectrum Access Framework for Authorisation of the Use of TV White Spaces. Five civil society organisations presented their comments with the common objective to help create a quality and affordable telecommunications service to all Kenyans, especially those in rural and underserved areas.

DEF releases COVID-19 digital emergency relief programme
DEF releases COVID-19 digital emergency relief programme 17 April 2020 Digital Empowerment Foundation

This is a compilation of articles and other resources and initiatives featured by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), an APC member organisation, in their latest newsletter.

7amleh recognised with Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award 2020
7amleh recognised with Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award 2020 16 April 2020 7amleh – The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media

APC member organisation 7amleh – The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media received this year's award in the digital activism category for its outstanding work educating the Palestinian public and the world about Palestinian digital rights issues.

The resilience of Kenya’s internet freedoms during the COVID-19 pandemic
The resilience of Kenya’s internet freedoms during the COVID-19 pandemic 15 April 2020 Liz Orembo for KICTANet

There is a need to balance the use of technology with human rights in response to the pandemic. Otherwise, we might risk losing the rights and freedoms we had steadily gained over many years.

CIPESA: Why access to information on COVID-19 is crucial to persons with disabilities in Africa
CIPESA: Why access to information on COVID-19 is crucial to persons with disabilities in Africa 14 April 2020 Paul Kimumwe for CIPESA

While COVID-19 continues to ravage the world, there is growing concern that critical messages about the disease that are disseminated by health authorities, telecom companies, and broadcasters are not reaching persons with visual and hearing impairments.

KICTANet submission on technology-related solutions to COVID-19
KICTANet submission on technology-related solutions to COVID-19 13 April 2020 Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet)

Following consultation with its stakeholders, the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) prepared this submission to the Kenyan Senate COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee, with a series of recommendations related to ICT solutions to confront the pandemic.

Zenzeleni and Tunapanda community networks respond to COVID-19 in Africa
Zenzeleni and Tunapanda community networks respond to COVID-19 in Africa 08 April 2020 APCNews

In a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that people are able to obtain information that will help them stay safe and aware of an evolving situation, and initiatives like these are crucial for reducing the traditional barriers to information that prevent global access.

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