By Evelyn Lirri | In August 2021, Zambia became the latest country to restrict citizens’ access to social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp as the country went to the polls. Citing the need to stop the spread of election misinformation, the Zambian government disrupted the internet in an election that saw an opposition politician defeat […]
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By Evelyn Lirri | The United Nations declared 2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, with the hope of creating a pathway for promoting mainstream linguistic diversity and multilingualism, including in the digital sphere. Currently, there are an estimated 7,000 languages and dialects in the world, of which only 10 dominate the internet ecosystem. Many […]
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By Prudence Nyamishana | Trends in global digitalisation have seen strides in the use of technology as an enabler for economic growth, public discourse, service delivery, transparency and accountability, access to education and public health. However, alongside these advancements, there has remained a persistent digital access gap that predominantly affects Sub-Saharan Africa. Further, it appears […]
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By CIPESA Staff Writer | As disinformation grows in form and prevalence in many African countries, the challenges to combating it are equally increasing yet measures to combat it remain inadequate and often inappropriate. This has got disinformation researchers concerned that, if more robust measures are not adopted, disinformation could become pervasive, harder to fight, […]
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By Apolo Kakaire | Constructive international cooperation will be key to shaping digital rights in Africa and creating a path towards an inclusive, safe and secure internet on the continent. This observation was at the heart of the eighth edition of the Forum for Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica21) as it kicked off on September 28, […]
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By Apolo Kakaire | Local nuances, technology neutrality and cross-border cooperation should be at the heart of multi-stakeholder negotiations by African states as part of the United Nations (UN) process on elaborating an international convention on cybercrime. This is according to experts who brainstormed on how African stakeholders can contribute to the planned negotiations, and the […]
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FIFAfrica21 | The five-day countdown to the eighth edition of the annual Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2021 (FIFAfrica21) is on! While revolving around three primary themes of Access to Information, Digital Inclusion, and Key Trends shaping digital rights in Africa, the Forum will serve as a platform to dissect and deliberate on topics shaping […]
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FIFAfrica21 | Set to kick off next week on September 27, 2021 and taking on a hybrid approach blending virtual and physical engagements, the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2021 (FIFAfrica21) will feature six remote hubs in five countries – the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The hubs are […]
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Call for Applications | Do you want to use data for advocacy but you’re not sure where to start? Would you like to transform statistics into compelling stories? Are you passionate about a digital rights cause, and want to convince others to join your efforts? In the lead up to the Forum on Internet Freedom in […]
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