LAB 2: Fighting fake news and disinformtion to strenghten our freedoms
7 November 2024 - 09.00-11.00 / Palais de l'Europe / Salle 10
Interpretation FR/EN
Sponsored by the City of Strasbourg
Freedom of expression is one of these fundamental freedoms, explicitly defended by democratic regimes and international human rights texts such as the European Convention on Human Rights. This freedom allows all individuals to express their opinions without the risk of being punished. However, this freedom can be limited for several reasons: for instance, it is forbidden to incite hatred. More insidiously, the creation and circulation of fake news is not necessarily prohibited, but it is at least morally contrary to democratic values, particularly when it expresses views that are hostile to democratic institutions or certain communities. So, how can we limit misinformation and hate speech while guaranteeing everyone's fundamental right to express themselves freely?
Moderator:
Discussant:
Piet, Cartoonist, member of Cartooning for Peace, France
Piet is a press cartoonist from Strasbourg. Trained as a journalist, he is currently a member of Cartooning for Peace. His drawings are mainly published in Le Monde, France 24 and Cartoon Movement. He is also a popular cartoonist and regularly gives talks about his work in schools and prisons.
Nora Tafiroult is a project manager at France Active Alsace. She provides support and advice to social economy organizations facing challenges related to transition, development, and consolidation. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Law from the Institut d'Études Politiques of Strasbourg and worked as a lawyer for several years before joining the France Active network. Additionally, she is a founding member and President of the Speaker association, a participatory media platform that promotes the voices of local residents, particularly those from working-class neighborhoods.
Simulizi Levels Up, Husisha Initiative Organisation
Kenya
The Husisha Initiative is a Kenyan NGO founded in 2018, working primarily in informal settlements, aiming to revolutionise learning, knowledge sharing, and human rights advocacy. Simulizi Levels Up is a project aimed at bridging the digital divide in Nairobi by equipping young people with essential digital skills. This not only enables them to become active and informed participants in the digital world, but also improves their employability and competitiveness in the digital job market. A comprehensive digital literacy training programme will therefore be put in place, covering basic computer operation and internet navigation, critical thinking and information evaluation, online safety, responsible digital citizenship, as well as an introduction to coding and digital content creation tools. A mentoring programme will also connect participants to industry professionals for career guidance and support. Targeting young people aged 16 to 35 in 15 slums in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, the initiative aims to empower 5000 young people over a 15-month period.
Presenter:
I am Charles Njenga Chege, Executive Director of Husisha Initiative Organization and a multimedia and interactive artist. I specialize in comics illustration, 2D and 3D animation, eLearning development, and AR visualization. Influenced by Dilbert, Jack Kirby, and Frank Miller, my hand-drawn, monochrome comics tackle social issues like democracy, anti-corruption, and inclusion. I lead Utata Comics, which distributes 60,000 copies monthly in informal settlements in Kenya. My work combines strategic planning, team management, and fundraising to drive social change through innovative and impactful storytelling.
Vulnerability Index of Disinformation, Democracy Plus
Kosovo*
Democracy Plus (D+) is an independent Kosovar non-profit organisation founded in March 2016. Faced with the threat of disinformation to Kosovo’s democracy and national security, affecting citizens' ability to make informed decisions, D+ created the Vulnerability Index of Disinformation in Kosovo from December 2021 to November 2022. The second Vulnerability Index of Disinformation was launched in June 2024. This index assesses Kosovo’s vulnerability to information disorders on a measurable scale by offering a comprehensive assessment of the situation. The aim of the index is to gain an in-depth understanding of the ongoing dynamics in Kosovo’s media news space and the attitudes of Kosovars towards information disorders and malign foreign influence. In addition, the index aims to provide an overview of the measures that need to be implemented by decision-making institutions to mitigate threats to Kosovo’s information environment.
Presenter:
Albana Rexha joined civil society in 2013, and currently works as senior policy analyst at Democracy Plus. She is the author of the Disinformation Vulnerability Index in Kosovo. She has a keen interest in disinformation, gender equality, democracy, and the European Integration process of Kosovo and the Western Balkans.
The Svoboda Satellite Package, Reporters sans frontières
France
Since Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022, nearly all independent media outlets have been banned, blocked, labelled as "foreign agents," or declared "undesirable organisations." Private TV channels have been removed from the air, except for cable entertainment channels, and access to Western media like Euronews, France 24 and the BBC is severely limited. Those remaining are either owned by Kremlin-affiliated individuals or practice strict self-censorship due to banned topics and language. To fight against Kremlin propaganda and provide independent journalism to the Russian-speaking population, Reporters sans frontières (RSF) has deployed several activities since 2022, from supporting immediate needs of journalists in exile (Visa support and emergency grants) to expanding the reach of their productions via the “Svoboda Satellite Package”, a package with 11 channels accessible free to air via satellite. With its partner, the JX Fund, RSF has been providing services and funds for thousands of Russian journalists and continues its campaign by exposing propaganda.
Presenter:
Antoine Bernard is the Director of Advocacy and Assistance of Reporters Without Borders (RSF). A recognized expert and practitioner of human rights, international justice and NGOs, Antoine is also co-director of the Master on human rights and humanitarian action at the Sciences Po Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) where he has been teaching since its launch in 2010. He is a board member of La Maison des Femmes de Saint Denis and of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression. Previously Director General of the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH), an associate researcher at the Institut des hautes études sur la justice (IHEJ), also a member of the jury of the Simone Veil Prize of the French Republic for gender equality and of the World Movement for Democracy Steering Committee.
AI Democracy 2.0, Project Vote 263
Zimbabwe
AI Democracy 2.0 is a groundbreaking initiative that utilises artificial intelligence to promote civic education, fight against misinformation and disinformation, and provide fact-checked information. This project aims to achieve this through a WhatsApp-based chatbot, a platform that is cost-effective, easily accessible, and convenient for most Zimbabweans who face limited civic space and rising living costs in their country. By utilising this chatbot, citizens can gain knowledge about their rights, understand the roles of elected officials, track bills in parliament, and access voting and civic education information without putting their lives at risk. The ultimate objective of this project is to increase the participation of underrepresented groups - youth, women, individuals with disabilities - in electoral processes by providing them with vital civic education information. Thanks to funding from the Open Society Foundation Africa, this project collaborates with academic institutions for the development of the programme and civil society organisations for its implementation.
Presenter:
Youngerson Matete is a political scientist, a Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni, and an award-winning pro-democracy and human rights activist. He has been promoting inclusive youth participation in decision-making processes for the last 10 years in Zimbabwe at the grassroots level. He is the founder and Executive Director of Project Vote 263. A non-partisan and non-profit organization, a youth-led initiative formed to foster inclusive youth participation, multiparty democracy, good governance, and constitutionalism through mobilizing young people to register to vote, conduct civic education, mentor young people to run for public office, and advocate for electoral reforms.
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