BudgIT, EiE and Paradigm Initiative host 5th new media, citizens, and governance conference

BudgIT, Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria) and Paradigm Initiative (PIN) will hold the fifth edition of the bi-annual Pan-African New Media, Citizens, and Governance Conference (NMCG) on November 17, 2022, themed Protecting Digital Rights in Closing Spaces.

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.

The violation of digital rights in Africa has become a prevalent issue; 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 Chad government blocked the internet following a raid at the property of Yaya Dillo, a representative of the government opposition, and 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.

The one-day conference themed, Protecting Digital Rights in Closing Spaces will hold on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. The conference will have four breakout sessions focused on data privacy, public accountability, the inclusion of People with Disabilities (PWDs) and insecurity and others.

According to BudgIT’s Global Director, Oluseun Onigbinde, there is no better time to emphasise 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.

Speaking on the development, 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, 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.

More information on the 2022 Conference is available on – www.newmediagov.ng