access to information

How weaponisation of network disruptions during elections threatens democracy
How weaponisation of network disruptions during elections threatens democracy 26 November 2021 Evelyn Lirri

In August 2021, Zambia became the latest country to restrict citizens’ access to social media platforms as the country went to the polls. The disruption of digital communications has become a recurring theme in numerous countries during elections and in times of public protest.

APC joins the celebrations for the Internet Archive’s 25th anniversary
APC joins the celebrations for the Internet Archive’s 25th anniversary 30 September 2021 APCNews

The Internet Archive is a non-profit organisation that started building a digital library of internet sites and digital artifacts 25 years ago. In 2021, it is commemorating the titanic achievement of two and a half decades of providing universal access to all knowledge.

CIPESA: Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2021 set for September
CIPESA: Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2021 set for September 11 August 2021 Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)

On 28-30 September, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa will host the eighth annual Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica), an event that convenes a wide spectrum of stakeholders from across the internet governance and digital rights arenas.

Digital rights featured prominently at African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 68th session
Digital rights featured prominently at African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 68th session 19 May 2021 Koliwe Majama

Together with other civil society and human rights institutions, members of the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Coalition demonstrated the gravity of online rights violations on the continent in the reports presented during the human rights situation sessions.

CIPESA: Why data rights are central to protection of online freedom
CIPESA: Why data rights are central to protection of online freedom 12 May 2021 CIPESA

In an increasingly digitised world, safeguarding data rights has become central to protecting individuals’ rights to access and share information, express themselves, and associate using the internet and related platforms.

Why Access to Information is Essential for Democratic Elections in Africa
Why Access to Information is Essential for Democratic Elections in Africa 29 January 2021 Dunia Mekonnen Tegegn

Though Africa has developed several normative frameworks and legal instruments defining democratic elections, the wider dissemination of relevant information during the electoral process remains a challenge, putting the credibility of the process into question.

Uganda 2021 general elections: The internet shutdown and its ripple effects
Uganda 2021 general elections: The internet shutdown and its ripple effects 25 January 2021 Unwanted Witness

On Wednesday 13 January 2021, the eve of Uganda’s general elections, Uganda’s communications regulator UCC ordered telecoms operators and internet service providers in the country to suspend all internet gateways until further notice.

Strengthening community resilience and sustenance through digital intervention
Strengthening community resilience and sustenance through digital intervention 03 November 2020 Digital Empowerment Foundation

Shivkumari, an Internet Saathi from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, is currently producing 300 masks per day and supplying them to the local hospitals. At the time of writing, she had received an order for 16,000 masks from a government hospital, out of which she has delivered 2,500.

Coconet: Singing about global issues and COVID-19 with the Marapu community
Coconet: Singing about global issues and COVID-19 with the Marapu community 29 May 2020 Fendi Widianto and Joseph Lamont for Coconet

Amid the current COVID-19 pandemic, health recommendations need to be conveyed to communities in remote areas that are separated both by distance and by the minority languages they speak. One medium that can be used to convey public messages is through song.

Foundation for Media Alternatives: Stop stifling free speech under the guise of COVID-19!
Foundation for Media Alternatives: Stop stifling free speech under the guise of COVID-19! 07 May 2020 Foundation for Media Alternatives

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries are resorting other measures that may have the incidental effect of concentrating power to a few, providing an opportunity for authoritarian leaders to consolidate the government’s might in order to stifle some essential freedoms.

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