Digital rights

With social media and the Internet increasingly under attack, understanding, and fighting for, digital rights is now vital to international media development. DW Akademie's digital rights dossier explains and analyzes some of the most pressing online freedom of expression and information issues, from Internet shutdowns to open data.

introduction

What are digital rights?

The rapidity of change in the digital world means it's vital to know what digital rights are and how these rights are being restricted or eroded.

In focus: artificial intelligence

An opportunity and a threat: The race for AI

As AI is being used by authoritarian powers to manipulate public opinion, the revolutionary technology also offers ways to combat propaganda and hate speech. The race is on for which side can develop the fastest.

A woman sits in front of a computer screen in a newsroom with several monitors attached to a rack in the middle of the room

"Suddenly you can't trust anything you see online"

AI-driven, text-producing machines are altering our digital media environment. Researcher Swapneel Mehta discusses possible threats to information integrity – and the opportunities generative AI holds for media outlets.

DW participates in the AI Charter in Media with Reporters Without Borders

DW Akademie has joined Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to develop a charter for a common set of ethics in the age of artificial intelligence. The committee is headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa.

A man orders coffee with the help of an artificial intelligence based system at AI Expo in Cape Town, South Africa. Design and development of AI systems is concentrated in large companies mostly from the global North, while the technology itself is often deployed in the global South.

Artificial intelligence: Global disparities, lack of protection

Seemingly neutral, artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in the fabric of our lives. But its design and deployment are not only profoundly political, they also deepen global power imbalances.

digital rights

Five excuses governments (ab)use to justify Internet shutdowns

Governments are increasingly blocking communications networks. Digital rights group Access Now unpacks common excuses used to justify Internet shutdowns.

Digital divide

Marginalized ethnic groups have less internet access

The internet gap between rich and poor, and cities and the countryside is well documented. But politically marginalized groups are also less connected, something media development also needs to take into account.

Threat modeling

Digital security – act now!

For journalists, cyberspace is one of the ten most dangerous places in the world, it's as dangerous as countries like Egypt or Syria. #mediadev looks at some of the ways media development can deal with the threat.

Anna Oosterlinck | Head of UN bei Article 19

Global Digital Compact: Civil society support essential to success

The rapidity of change in the digital world means it's vital to know what digital rights are and how these rights are being restricted or eroded.

USA, New York | Flagge auf Halbmast am UN Hauptquatier wegen dem Tod von Raisi

Peter Limbourg: UN Global Digital Compact sends strong signal for global media freedom

The rapidity of change in the digital world means it's vital to know what digital rights are and how these rights are being restricted or eroded.

From our projects

Media reporting on online violence against women in East Africa harms victims

A new study highlights harmful media reporting on online violence against women in East Africa. It recommends advocacy and training for sensitive and responsible reporting.

Freedom of the net

Simbabwe Harare Proteste gegen Präsident Mugabe

Zimbabwe's tightening grip on online communications

After messaging services and social media helped fuel protests earlier in 2016, the Zimbabwe government is clamping down on cyberspace. With elections due in 2018, online rights are expected to erode further.

advocacy

Using social media for good during Ghana's elections

With Internet shutdowns becoming the norm during Africa's elections, a tech group is betting on Ghana staying online when the country votes so it can track social media to spot potential trouble.

#mediadev

#mediadev brings you insights, analysis and research around the topics of freedom of expression, media development and digital transformation. Join the global conversation. Use the #mediadev hashtag.

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intermediaries

The new power of manipulation

Google and Facebook are able to influence the opinions of their users. That's dangerous. By Sandro Gaycken

interview

Internet governance - why you should care

Internet governance is one of those stodgy phrases that seem irrelevant to people's daily lives. But it has a big impact on issues like human rights, media freedom and development, making it important for everyone.

DW Akademie MockUp Guidebook und Broschüre

Guidebook Internet Governance

Media freedom in a connected world

Smartphone use in Addis Ababa: After Ethiopia declared a six-month state of emergency in October 2016, its government had shut down mobile data and blocked numerous social media sites

explainer

Internet shutdowns

With governments increasingly pulling the plug on Internet and social networks during critical periods such as protests and elections, it's time to get informed about Internet shutdowns.