ICT policy

"The forgotten constituency": Making a case for digital rights for prisoners in Zimbabwe during and beyond COVID-19
"The forgotten constituency": Making a case for digital rights for prisoners in Zimbabwe during and beyond COVID-19 13 June 2020 David Makwerere

In Zimbabwe, just like in many other parts of the world, prison is highly resented by society. This paper by David Makwerere tackles this largely unexplored subject on digital rights for prisoners.

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.

Digital divisions: COVID-19 policy and practice and the digital divide in Africa
Digital divisions: COVID-19 policy and practice and the digital divide in Africa 12 June 2020 Charley Lewis

The sudden and dramatic advent of the COVID-19 global pandemic caught the world by surprise and left many floundering for responses, none more so than those in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector: the policy makers, regulators and internet and other ICT service providers.

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.

Open letter to President Ramaphosa on South African copyright laws
Open letter to President Ramaphosa on South African copyright laws 11 May 2020 Association for Progressive Communications and International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

Open letter from APC and the IFLA to President Cyril Ramaphosa concerning the Copyright Bill that currently awaits his signature, following its approval by the South African Parliament.

Open letter to the EU Ambassador to South Africa on copyright laws
Open letter to the EU Ambassador to South Africa on copyright laws 11 May 2020 Association for Progressive Communications and International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

Open letter from APC and the IFLA to the EU Ambassador to South Africa concerning the Copyright Bill that currently awaits the signature of President Ramaphosa, following its approval by the South African Parliament.

#BebaskanRavio: Free Ravio Patra and reveal the WhatsApp hackers
#BebaskanRavio: Free Ravio Patra and reveal the WhatsApp hackers 28 April 2020 Pitra Hutomo for Coconet

On April 22,  researcher and government critic Ravio Patra was arrested in Jakarta, Indonesia, not long after an attempt to protect his safety due to a WhatsApp privacy breach, prompting a larger discussion on the scale of authoritarian oppression in Indonesia. 

MMfD: New draft of data protection law will create a dangerous precedent
MMfD: New draft of data protection law will create a dangerous precedent 27 April 2020 Media Matters for Democracy

Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD) is concerned about the insertion of draconian and anti-democratic sections in the draft Personal Data Protection Bill 2020 that has been made public by the Pakistani Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications. 

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