RNW Media

I'm proud to introduce our Digital Literacy modules on Laaha, UNICEF's Virtual Safe Space platform, developed in collaboration with the IRC. Go check it out! https://lnkd.in/ejUkwGcv Maren Wickwire Abeera Akhtar Catherine Poulton Kristy Crabtree

The Responsible Digital Future Summit, held in Bogotá on 15th August, addressed the critical need for responsible technology in our interconnected world. Organised by the Office of the Vice President of Colombia in collaboration with Luminate and the Archewell Foundation, the event focused on Colombia's digital challenges and explored topics such as disinformation and online hate speech, and the necessary steps to build a future of technology centred in human rights. The summit’s opening panels examined the challenges young people face in digital spaces, both in Colombia and globally, as well as potential solutions and regulatory approaches that protect freedom of expression within regional contexts. Participants included Catalina Ruiz-Navarro, Founder and Co-Director of Volcánicas; Catalina Botero, former Chair of the Oversight Board for Meta; and Pedro Vaca, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The final panel, moderated by Luminate's Felipe Estefan, brought together influential figures to envision a responsible digital future for Colombia. Notable participants included Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Rappler CEO; Francia Marquez, Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Equity; and Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and founders of the Archewell Foundation. The summit provided a platform for in-depth discussions on shaping a digital landscape that benefits youth, societies, and democracies, stressing the importance of addressing present-day needs to construct a more equitable technological future. 💡 “We should model how we want our kids to be raised and for the world in which we raise them. It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter who you are. Either you personally or someone you know is a victim to what’s happening online. And that’s something we can actively work on every day to remedy.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e9Uz34yH

New Round of scholarship for media makers in the MENA region. Join our 6000 plus alumni and upgrade your knowledge and skills to be on top of the latest developments in the (digital) media landscape.

To fully realize the potential of digital media, it must be accessible and inclusive, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, can access and engage with contents. Click on the link below to read more on “Creating Accessible and Inclusive Digital Media Content” notes from a recent virtual session organized by RNW Media RNTC Media Training Centre on Digital Accessibility for Non-Technical Users https://lnkd.in/djcSmJvw

📢 We are hiring! The African Union Commission's Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate, together with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung African Union Cooperation Office, seeks to engage a consultant to review the implementation of the African Youth Charter (AYC) as well as develop a youth engagement toolkit and roadmap for the AYC@20 campaign. For more details, visit t.ly/63UJu! Deadline for proposal submission: Sept 3rd, 2024

🚨 9 out of the top 10 ChatGPT-using countries are from the Global South 🚨 This trend suggests a disconnect. The Global South, and particularly Morocco as a leader on the African continent, is rapidly emerging as a significant consumer base in the AI landscape, yet our influence as thought leaders, developers, and innovators in this space remains limited. It’s a paradox—how can the regions driving usage not also be at the forefront of creation? Moreover, this reality brings into focus the biases inherent in AI. Despite our heavy use, AI systems often reflect biases against us. This isn’t about victimhood—it’s about recognizing the importance of having a seat at the table where these technologies are designed. If the Global South, with Morocco as a prime example, is the primary user base, then we should be shaping AI to meet our diverse needs and perspectives. The question is not just why AI is biased against us, but also: What are we doing to change that? How do we transition from being users to becoming innovators, ensuring that future technologies are as inclusive and representative as possible? The answer lies in investment—investment in education, infrastructure, and fostering a culture of innovation within our communities. Only then can we move from being consumers to creators, from users to leaders in the AI revolution. ⚡️ Not users but thought leaders. 📸 Credit goes to Morocco World News

📣 We envision a digital media space that is "very demure and very mindful" - i.e. digital media spaces that are safe, reliable, and inclusive! ✨ With our partners from around the world (media and civil society organizations, journalists, digital content creators, and activists) and through our RNTC Media Training Centre, we are committed towards co-creating digital media space(s) that advance information integrity, and contribute to ensuring a healthy information ecosystem - for all. 👋Interested in learning more about our work and/or exploring opportunities for collaboration? Reach out to us here on LinkedIn or write to us at opportunities@rnw.media. We are always up for a chat! 💡 Fun fact: if you aren't familiar yet with the most recent TikTok trend to go viral this summer, or are just curious about how the 'very demure' trend got started, check out our comments section to learn more!

Online gender-based violence (OGBV) is a growing concern worldwide. While much research focuses on high-profile individuals, OGBV also affects everyday internet users. We launched an OGBV tracker to document incidents across Africa and track prevalence. This data will be used to advocate for policies to combat OGBV at national and regional levels. We invite you to contribute to this important initiative by reporting incidents of OGBV. Your data will help us understand the extent of the problem and advocate for change.

Yes, there are broader societal and political factors at play that have fuelled mis and disinformation online, leading to rioting and violence IRL. However, we cannot undermine the unique and disastrous role that social media platforms and algorithms have played globally (as indicated by examples outlined below) in specifically amplifying and flaring up divisive and hateful content online - and this requires human accountability. From owners, investors, and influencers who profit from these platforms.

Was glad to have a chance to talk to the authors of this report. A very thorough analysis. What helps address digital threats in elections, is having the political will to meaningful tackle the polluted information space among the stakeholders influencing the on and offline discourse around elections. If you don't have the political will, then it's just check the box programming. Building that will by pulling in ordinary people to the conversation (i.e. more public opinion resources is needed, less social media monitoring, we know the main issues) is one method to get there. Here's their four step summary of a sophisticated set of recommendations. I would amplify two points in here: 1. The need for baseline surveys. Not nearly enough public opinion research is done to engage the public on their attitudes and expectations of election information integrity vis-a-via social media -- of themselves, the political contestants, and government as oversight, etc. Most countries, especially in Africa, when surveyed, view US tech companies negatively, only interested in their profits and the cost of social cohesion. 2-The threats and responses are varied, and orgs cannot respond to them all. There are too many siloed orgs in this space rather than virtual war rooms and spending time on HOW TO WORK TOGETHER in order to have stronger and multilayered responses. This is the methodology for countering disinformation I been part of testing in many parts of the world. This is not coalition building, this requires something different, which allows organizations to be strategic while not mandating them to have one common goal in mind for how they see the world, see elections and see the future of social media reform, and the role of politicians, but rather work to share information on what they do agree on - the need to have more credible information systems that are not manipulated by strong-arm governments, local bad faith actors (paid or for ideology), or be vectors for foreign influence on someone else's agenda. Congrats Fennet Habte on this body of work and getting it out in the world to make it useable.