#FIFAfrica16 | See what we have lined up for the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2016. On 27 September there will be a series of closed sessions by invite only while on 28 September the official launch of the Forum will take place.
| September 27 | |
| All day | Invite only/closed sessions Human Rights and Internet Policy Workshop for Journalists hosted by CIPESA, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (Uganda) |
| September 28 | |
| 9.00-9.15 | Opening remarks: Ministry of Information and National Guidance |
| 9.15-9.30 | Keynote Address |
| 9.30-10.30 | Session 1: Transparency and Accountability of Intermediaries Service providers including global corporations hold the personal information of millions of citizens but how secure is this data? Intermediaries discuss their relationships with governments and users, including data protection mechanisms, requests of user information and reporting abuse, harassment and infringements. Panelists: Ebele Okobi, Facebook | Ife Osaga-Ondondo, Google | Vincent Bagiire, ICT Policy Analyst | Anriette Esterhuysen, Association for Progressive Communications (APC) | Tefo Mohapi, iAfrikan (Moderator) |
| 10.30-11.00 | Q&A |
| 11.00-11.30 | Tea break |
| 11.30-12.30 | Session 2: Internet Shutdowns and Internet Rights- Where do we draw the line? Since early 2015, we have witnessed internet shutdowns not only in Africa but in India, Turkey and China. Is this practice becoming a norm particularly during elections or times of social unrest? What are the desired outcomes a State seeks when it authorises a shutdown of online communications and related platforms? Is a shutdown ever warranted? Government Communication Regulation authorities and civil society share a space to discuss this trend. Panelists: TBC, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) | Ephraim Percy Kenyanito, Access Now | Yosr Jouini, DSS216 Tunisia | Arthur Gwagwa, Strathmore University (Moderator) | Arsene Tungali, Rudi International (DR Congo) | Wisdom Donko | National Information Technology Agency (NITA) Ghana Related hashtag: #KeepItOn |
| 12.30-13.00 | Q&A |
| 13.00-14.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00-15.00 (Parallel sessions) |
Session 3a: Human rights in connectivity Various initiatives are underway to increase connectivity in Africa. These range from multi-country efforts such as Global Connect and Internet for All, to regional ones including the Northern Corridor Internet for All in east Africa as well as national efforts driven by Universal Access Funds, national infrastructure plans and fibre connectivity by multinational actors. Amidst these efforts, there is a need to understand the relationship between human rights and connectivity and also explore the opportunities and challenges in achieving affordable and fast internet in Africa. We bring different players with the shared vision of seeing more people gaining access to the net and growing the online knowledge society, but also respecting the various human rights principles that connectivity should uphold. Panelists: Dr. Enrico Colandro, Research ICT Africa | Sylvia Musalagani, Hivos Eastern Africa | Moses Karanja, Centre for Intellectual and Information Technology Law (CIPIT) | Nanjira Sambuli, Web Foundation | Dr. Wairagala Wakabi, CIPESA (Moderator) |
| Session 3b. Using tech to defend the defenders There is a growing appreciation of digital security tools among online users. However, many individuals and organisations involved in human rights work remain at risk of information and communications security breaches which may compromise the effectiveness of their work and service efficacy to the communities they work with. This session therefore seeks to enable digital security trainers share their experiences in the use of digital security tech to promote internet freedom and human rights in Africa, including challenges faced in meeting community needs. Panelists: Neil Blazevic, DefendDefenders | Kelly Daniel Mukwano, iFreedom Uganda | Natasha Msoza, Digital Society of Zimbabwe (Moderator) | Mary Kiio, Digital Security Training Consultant | Lindsay Beck, Open Technology Fund (OTF) |
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| (Re) Connecting online and Offline – navigating the gap between creative social commentary and tech Technology is influencing the path and content that creative producers are taking. Across Africa, expression that challenges established social and political zones is often met with back lash. However, more artists are utilising online spaces to source ideas and to also share their work. As more comment and express perceptions on political, social and “taboo topics” we discuss whether some creators in a bid to get work online are succumbing to censorship including self-censorship of content and expression? Also, is tech enabling the dilution of legitimate creative expression? Panelists: Angela Kilusungu, CDEA | David Kaiza, Ugandan Writer | Mildred Achoch, ROFFEKE Rock ‘n’ Roll Film Festival Kenya | Violet Nantume, Artist and Curator #ThisisFreedom |
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| 15.00-15.30 | Q&A |
| 16.00-17.00 (Parallel sessions) |
Session 4a: Clickbait Journalism: Experiences in African media? Online, information is being produced every second by ordinary users, citizen journalists and indeed traditional media houses, amongst a plethora of other content creators. This has prompted some media houses to develop various strategies to maintain a relevant and competitive edge. The challenge of attracting and maintaining an audience through catchy, sometimes misleading headlines, relative to streaming social media and a perpetually hungry audience seems to threaten the core of journalism. In particular, maintaining ethics and verification practices have repeatedly fallen into question at many media houses. Panelists: Daniel Kalinaki, Nation Media Group | Lydia Namubiru, African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) | Thomasi Pa Louis, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Africa | Koliwe Majama, MISA Zimbabwe (Moderator) | Eric Chinje, Africa Media Initiative |
| Session 4b: African frameworks on Internet Freedom – What are the provisions? What are the conflicts? Various African frameworks are being developed with the aim of having a cohesive internet governance framework emerging from the continent, such as the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms and African Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection. In additional to larger frameworks there are regional frameworks such as the East Africa Community Electronic Transaction Bill and even national frameworks pertaining specifically to internet freedom, for example the proposed Digital Rights and Freedom Bill (Nigeria). This discussion will look at these works and how they are being received at a government and civic level. Panelists: Edet Ojo, Media Rights Agenda (Nigeria) | Tusi Fokane, Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) (Moderator) | Henry Maina, Article 19 (Kenya) | Maiylin Fidler, Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School | Boye Adeboke, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) Related hashtag: #AfricanInternetRights |
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| Session 4c: Using data to track rights The availability of data online is enabling deeper levels of analysis in governance and human rights. However, there remain many gaps in the data available for use, particularly data released by the State. Access to information laws are non-existent in many African countries and where they exist, they are not properly implemented. Social media platforms can enhance access to information as they provide avenues for generation of data as the conversations, behaviours and reactions of netizens can be assessed using simple algorithms which present unique patterns of online behavior habits. As such, these insights on intra-citizen and government-to-citizen interactions have paved the way to understand and to advance transparency and accountability in government, rights reporting, and campaign and elections monitoring. This session explores examples from various African countries, including what the gaps, opportunities and challenges are for increased use of data for tracking rights violations and government transparency. Panelists: Bernard Sabiti, Development Research and Training (DRT) | Henry Muguzi, Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring (ACFIM) | Richard Ngamita, Outbox | Stanley Achonu, BudgIT | Juliet Nanfuka, CIPESA (Moderator) |
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| 17.00-17.30 | Q&A |
| 18.30-20.00 | Celebrating the Right to Know (RTK) – Cocktail Access to information laws and initiatives |