By Mozilla |
Rwandans have a new tool in the fight against COVID: Mbaza, a chatbot that provides timely and accurate information about the pandemic in the Kinyarwanda, French, and English languages.
Mbaza is based out of the Rwanda Biomedical Center, and is a collaboration between Mozilla Common Voice, the Rwandan start-up Digital Umuganda, the Government of Rwanda, and the German Development Cooperation, or “Deutsche…
Announcement |
On September 28-30, 2021, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) will host the eighth edition of the annual Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica). The Forum is a landmark event that convenes a wide spectrum of stakeholders from across the internet governance and digital rights arenas to deliberate on gaps, concerns and opportunities…
By Admire Moyo |
The one-year grace period given to South African organisations to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) will not be extended.
So said advocate Pansy Tlakula, chairperson of the Information Regulator, in an e-mail interview with ITWeb.
According to Tlakula, the Information Regulator is in the process of making final preparations for SA’s data privacy law that is…
By Dunia Mekonnen Tegegn |
The importance of access to information in the electoral process and for democratic governance is documented in the African Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance, and other sub-regional treaties and standards.
Without access to reliable information during the electoral process, it is difficult for citizens to eloquently exercise their right to make an informed choice. For elections…
By Reyhana Masters |
In her contribution to IFEX’s series marking International Women’s Day, Regional Editor Reyhana Masters looks at how women are disadvantaged when it comes to accessing public information.
Access to information is considered essential to the right of freedom of expression in the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa. Right…
By Ashnah Kalemera |
In November 2019, The Gambia will be coming up for its third cycle review under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism. Former President Yahya Jammeh, before his ouster in 2017, was renowned for his utter disregard for constitutional rights, once stating publicly that he would “not compromise or sacrifice the peace, security, stability, dignity, and the well-being of…
Nigeria News Update |
The high expectations of millions of Ghanaians that the long-awaited Right to Information Bill (RTI) could be passed before Parliament goes on recess this weekend may be dashed. This follows a disclosure by the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, that the Bill may not be passed before the House rises.
Speaking at a Meet-the-Press event in…
Targeting ‘the gap’ between women and men in access to the internet is fundamental in reaching the goal of access for all. In an article for the Alliance for Affordable internet, the Web Foundation argues that the indicator of this gap should be calculated relative to a women-centred reference when the intention is to focus on the disparity and disadvantages faced…
Zimbabwe News Update|
MISA- Zimbabwe welcomes remarks by Acting Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Simon Khaya Moyo, that his ministry is in the process of aligning the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) with the Constitution.
Moyo was speaking at the launch of the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe’s elections programme on…
By Brenda Bukowa|
With 68 percent of Zambians living in poverty and literacy levels standing at 55.3 percent with more pronouncement in females than males, publication of newspapers and magazines in various local languages can be key to information dissemination to the general public.
This can further increase public understanding of national issues and in turn strengthen the practice of freedom of…