The fifth edition of the bi-annual Pan-African New Media, Citizens, and Governance Conference (NMCG) will focus on the protection of digital rights in Nigeria
In a statement from BudgiT announced that the one-day conference with the themed: Protecting Digital Rights in Closing Spaces will hold on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
According to the statement, the conference that will be cohosted by Enough-is-Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria) and Paradigm Initiative (PIN) will have four breakout sessions focused on data privacy, public accountability, the inclusion of People With Disabilities (PWDs) and insecurity among others.
Speaking on the significance of the conference, BudgIT’s Global Director, Oluseun Onigbinde, said there is no better time to emphasize the need to discuss long-standing and emerging issues with digital freedom in Africa.
“This includes policies and legislations that have either aided digital rights violations or improved freedom of expression, right to privacy, right to digital access, and many more.
‘In 2022 alone, we have seen how several African governments, including the Nigerian government, tried to stifle access to freedom of expression on different digital platforms, against the ideals of democracy everyone should stand for.
“The NMCG conference will avail stakeholders, state actors and the civil society with the opportunity to co-create means of addressing the current loopholes.” Said Oluseun.
For his part, the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative (PIN), Gbenga Sesan, described the conference as timely, following evidence of policy threats, citizen’s advocacy against closing civic spaces and upcoming elections in various African countries.
‘With upcoming elections in Kenya, Nigeria and other African countries, the conference comes at a great time to discuss what various stakeholders must do to maximise digital opportunities during such important events.’ Said Gbenga.
Commenting also, the Executive Director of Enough is Enough, Yemi Adamolekun, noted that the prevalence of digital tools in society is often underestimated; thus, the conference presents an excellent opportunity for stakeholders to explore these issues.
‘As citizens, we underestimate how much of our lives are shaped by digital tools. We also underestimate how much governments worldwide are threatened by spaces they can’t control. We look forward to exploring these issues during the conference”. Yemi added.
Recently, there have been several attacks on digital rights in Africa. Digital rights are human rights in online spaces. These rights include the right to privacy, freedom of opinion and speech, freedom of information and communication, gender rights, and the right to freedom from violence.
Citizens’ digital rights are breached if they are the subject of digital surveillance; if they are covertly targeted with disinformation to manipulate their beliefs and behaviour; if their mobile or internet connection is restricted; or if they are arrested or attacked for expressing a political opinion online.
Many observers believe that the violation of digital rights in Africa has become a prevalent issue such that if proactive steps are not taken, it may persist.
Studies show that Africa has become the most censorship-intensive continent globally, responsible for 10 (nearly 53%) cases in 2021. Within the year under review, Africa led the social media shutdown numbers during election days (3 out of 4 cases were in Congo, Uganda, and Zambia).
For instance, the Chadian government blocked the internet access in the country following a raid at the property of Yaya Dillo, a representative of the government opposition…
Likewise the Nigerian government suspended Twitter – an announcement that came two days after the microblogging site removed a tweet by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
To this end, it is therefore imperative to have an intellectual conversation on safeguarding the digital rights of African citizens before, during and after elections.
More information on the 2022 Conference is available on – www.newmediagov.ng
You can book a seat here: https://newmediagov.ng/registration/
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