Paradigm Initiative Call to Defend Digital Rights in Africa

In a bid to preserve internet freedom and safeguard digital rights , Paradigm Initiative (PIN) ,a leading pan-African Organisation championing digital rights and inclusion, urges stakeholders to take action. Their comprehensive monitoring report, known as Londa, highlights the state of digital rights and inclusion in 24 African countries and outlines key recommendations for safeguarding these rights.

The Londa report emphasized the need for private sectors to ensure that content moderation and surveillance do not suppress diverse political views and perspectives . It urges companies to resist unethical governmental pressures that seek illegal access to personal data.

The report prioritizes digital literacy for all citizens while addressing barriers to internet access and mobile services. Ms.Thobekile Matimbe, the organization’s Senior Manager, Partnerships and Engagements at PIN, asserts that realizing the challenges in the digital space, is a positive step towards the full realization of Human rights and government compliance with treaty obligations. Every government should work towards improving their digital rights record each year whilst stakeholders should uphold their role in safeguarding digital rights.

While the report holds Media accountable for ethical reporting and combating misinformation and disinformation, it also stresses on the significance of media practitioners protection from repressive laws. Additionally, the reports proposes digital security training to members to navigate the digital space safely.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged to tackle complex digital rights and internet freedom issues. Academia is called upon to actively develop digital literacy training, promote best practices through research and fostering awareness.

For successful implementation, PIN proposes streamlining of information exchange between grassroots community organisations and non-governmental to build effective human rights monitoring mechanisms. Government are urged to resist digital authoritarianism and uphold constitutional and international obligations.

The report recommends the establishment of robust multi-stakeholder consultative processes for policies, laws and regulations, providing regular updates to the public and promoting transparency in governance.  The collective action among stakeholders is integral in promoting and defending the digital rights and internet freedom across Africa. By doing so, the continent can ensure an inclusive, transparent and secure digital landscape.