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The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the efficacy of strategies used by HRPs/HRMOs for communicating during blackouts. The goal of this project envisages to see a ZimbabweanCivilSociety that is prepared to document and monitor human rights violations without hiccups during internet shutdowns.

This article casts doubt on the shutdowns' effectiveness in curbing banditry, exposing alternative explanations for any temporary decrease in attacks. It questions the legitimacy of justifying these shutdowns as effective counter-terrorism measures, advocating for alternative approaches that prioritize community engagement, human rights, and development initiatives to address the root causes of insecurity and foster lasting peace in Northwestern Nigeria and Nigeria at large.

This post is a research study on the impact of the Twitter ban in Nigeria on Human Rights Monitoring, Advocacy and Creativity. Read more.

Let’s tell you a little bit more about each toolkit!

In Nigeria’s Northwestern Sokoto State, farm workers grapple with geopolitical challenges, shifting climate realities, and economic turbulence. However, they now face a new, growing threat: a troubling rise in internet disruptions, which threatens their ability to work in an increasingly digitally connected world. Read more.

Central Asian Network of Internet Activists (CANIA) is a network of dedicated researchers and activists with a passion for digital rights, security, and development. Originating from Central Asia, they understand the challenges of internet accessibility and the pivotal role of the internet in economic advancement. CANIA’s efforts centre around increasing awareness of pressing issues like data privacy, internet accessibility, digital literacy... read more.

On February 3, Senegal’s President Macky Sall announced a delay of the much-anticipated presidential elections, originally planned for February 25, in what some are calling a “constitutional coup.” Protests erupted, and the government imposed a mobile internet shutdown. Read more...

The Advocacy Assembly Internet Shutdown Academy (AASA) is now offering certificates to online learners who successfully complete all ten courses in our shutdown academy program!

In 2023, Advocacy Assembly's Shutdown Academy made significant progress in advancing digital rights and combating internet shutdowns globally. We are proud to share with you the key milestones and initiatives that shaped our year, highlighting the activities that we have done over the past year.

Due to the overwhelming demand for the first AA-ISA Mentored Training Program, we have decided to run the program again from February through April 2024. The program will provide support and community guidance as you go through the ten Advocacy Assembly Internet Shutdown Academy courses, as well as opportunities to engage with mentors, experts, and funders.

Have you ever asked yourself how the internet shapes your life? It's a question we rarely pause to consider, yet the internet has become so woven into our everyday lives. From education and communication to commerce and entertainment, the internet facilitates a vast array of activities that enrich our lives. But what happens when this vital lifeline is suddenly cut off?

As part of the Advocacy Assembly Shutdown Academy, we hosted a panel discussion on strategic litigation against internet shutdowns. In this panel, experts shared their experiences challenging shutdowns in court at national and regional levels and shared best practices for setting legal strategies. Read more...

When people lose access to the internet, they lose their fundamental rights and opportunities to connect with the world. Fighting such misconduct is a battle that echoes in every corner of the world, where advocates, journalists, and human rights defenders stand united against the growing threat of internet shutdowns. This is exactly why we launched the Advocacy Assembly Shutdown Academy. Read more...

This article showcases a case study from our course ‘Detecting Internet Shutdowns with IODA’.

Internet freedom has been threatened globally due to the rise of censorship, internet shutdowns, and surveillance. Such actions have significantly impacted individuals' ability to access information, express themselves freely, and communicate with others online. In this blog, we will discuss three such organisations. Each of these organisations shared with us insights learned from their experiences as part of our new shutdown academy courses.

This is a case study from our course ‘Detecting Internet Shutdowns with IODA’, in our Internet Shutdown Academy, which features 10 courses in seven languages taught by experts from leading organisations. It is designed to educate activists, journalists, and anyone impacted by internet disruptions and online censorship.

We're excited to announce the launch of our new website! Read more!

Advocacy Assembly presents the Shutdown mentored training program, a six-week online initiative that features international experts and provides participants with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to prepare better for shutdowns and build an Internet shutdown advocacy campaign.

In the age of technology, the internet has become a crucial aspect of daily life for millions of people around the world. From online shopping to social media and communication, the internet has changed the way we interact with one another and access information. However, internet shutdowns are increasingly becoming a common occurrence in many countries, with potentially serious consequences for citizens and their rights.

In July 2021, Cuba saw the largest protests in more than 100 years taking place throughout the country. Cubans flooded the streets to demand better access to food, water, medicine, and COVID-19 vaccines, calling for government reforms. The first protest took place in a small town out of Havana called San Antonio de los Baros. The unrest was live-streamed on Facebook and had a domino effect throughout the country. Read more..

What the Advocacy Assembly team learned about digital rights and internet freedom in 2022.

June has long been synonymous with Pride Month – the moment to commemorate years of struggle for civil rights for the ongoing pursuit of equal justice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. But how is this linked to internet shutdowns and online censorship. And how are internet rights connected with the rights of minorities?

5 highlights from RightsCon 2022

Internet shutdowns are on the rise globally. This is why we have launched the Advocacy Assembly Shutdown Academy -- to share all the valuable knowledge and skills needed to help people to identify, measure, circumvent and advocate against shutdowns.

After a two year hiatus, the International Journalism Festival finally returned to Perugia, Italy in April 2022. The Advocacy Assembly team attended the conference and took the liberty to summarise our favourite panel talks from Perugia. For those who couldn’t make it in person, here are some impressive recorded panels to watch from the comfort of your home.

Back in June 2016, the UN passed a resolution affirming the notion that all human rights enjoyed offline should also be guaranteed online. Despite this, it’s no secret that digital rights are in crisis globally. Threats of state surveillance, censorship and malicious attacks are more widespread than ever before, and it’s time that the full capabilities of international human rights mechanisms were deployed to help stem the tide. That’s where UPROAR comes in.

With the launch this week of Advocacy Assembly’s new course on The Right to Information for Human Rights Advocacy, it is perhaps time to reflect on the history of this now widely recognised right, which gives individuals a right to access information held by public authorities.

Small Media is excited to announce a new opportunity to work within our team. We are seeking a Social Media Coordinator to lead two Small Media projects, Advocacy Assembly and UPROAR.

With recent research showing the pandemic could become endemic, there’s no letting up for journalists when it comes to providing accurate and timely COVID-19 coverage for audiences. From the Delta and Delta Plus variant to the vaccine race, the latest rise in coronavirus cases means reporters need to continue to stay on top of the latest research and information to report responsibly and not amplify any uncertainty.

To help you deliver live-saving information to audiences, here are three coronavirus funding opportunities that have rolling deadlines you can apply for now.

Podcasts present an amazing opportunity to look into so many different ways that journalists work. This is a selection of five inspiring podcasts that we've been checking out.

All media conferences have moved online since the pandemic hit in March 2020. While we are all missing face to face networking, the vaccine rollout and rapid testing are helping to bring in person or hybrid events back. Let’s take a look at what’s on for the rest of the year.

Why is it important to know about vicarious trauma as a human rights researcher?