Welcome to the 47th monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks and community-based initiatives.
The APC network and staff reflect on some under-explored concerns about Elon Musk's buyout of Twitter that are not being highlighted and debated enough, indicating serious implications for freedom of expression and human rights online.
Join us for the fourth session of the Virtual Summit on Community Networks in Africa, which will take place on 18 May 2022 at 12:00 UTC, to dialogue about the role that women play in community networks in the region.
Statement
Organisations call for release of British-Egyptian political prisoner Alaa Abd El-FattahAs a visionary, Alaa was among the first to recognise the power of technology in uniting and mobilising people against unjust and oppressive states. The life and fate of Alaa is at stake, the United Kingdom Foreign Office must act now to save his life.
Joint statement
Cambodia should scrap rights-abusing National Internet GatewayAPC and other civil society organisations are concerned that the gateway will supercharge the government’s censorship capabilities, allowing it to scale up its website blocking, and could generate self-censorship online among critical voices and independent media outlets.
Journal article
Feminist by Design: COVID-19, homophobia and the Bolsonarista vernacularAfter the election of Jair Bolsonaro as president, Brazilian social media became an increasingly fertile ground for the exercise of public violence. This article focuses on two episodes that illustrate social media engagement with homophobic hate speech uttered by or attributed to Bolsonaro.
Journal article
Feminist by Design: Feminist internet research is messyFeminist internet research is messy and conducting meta-research on feminist internet research is even messier. This critically reflective article argues that the messiness of research is not something to shy away from but rather to embrace.
Journal article
Feminist by Design: How to build a feminist internet and why it matters"Feminist by Design", an edition of the APRIA journal, is ambitious in its title and aims. It showcases research journeys, findings and feminist intentions, bringing together a diverse group of researchers from around the world who were part of the Feminist Internet Research Network.
Joint UPR submission
Joint stakeholder contribution to the 41st session of the Universal Periodic Review: BrazilThis joint submission to the 41st session of the UN Universal Period Review focuses on Brazil's fulfilment of human rights obligations in the digital context.
Statement
Digital Services Act Human Rights Alliance: Don’t compromise on the protection of fundamental rights in the ongoing negotiationsAs the final stage of the trialogue negotiations on the Digital Services Act (DSA) is approaching, ECNL, as part of the DSA Human Rights Alliance, is calling for the Act to truly comply with international human rights standards.
Report
Feminist Internet Research Network: Meta-research project reportThe meta-research project formed part of the broader Feminist Internet Research Network (FIRN) project led by APC and created a feminist space for dialogue to explore the complexities of doing internet research.
How are grassroots communities promoting digital inclusion while strengthening their autonomy? By sharing knowledge and thinking together how to build and strengthen community networks. Around 35 communities are joining the national community networks schools, the first of their kind, taking place in five countries.
Our columnist reflects on five issues for the wider internet environment raised by Elon Musk’s planned acquisition of Twitter, including for human rights, freedom of expression and corporate accountability.
Recognising the need for a rapid and effective response to the pressing issue of access to online education, Bytesforall Bangladesh saw an opportunity to advocate for equitable access to the internet as a public good, affirming access to education as a fundamental human right.
Columns
In this weekly column, longstanding associate of APC David Souter looks at different aspects of the digital society. Issues covered include internet governance and sustainable development, human rights and the environment, policy, practice and the use of ICTs.
How are APC members improving their communities' lives? In this section we're highlighting stories of impact and change by our members, supported by APC sub-granting.
Other APC sites
