Trainings and Capacity Building

The course "Freedom of Expression, Artificial Intelligence and Elections," offered by the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas in partnership with UNESCO, UNDP, and the Electoral Assistance Division (EAD) of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), delves into the intersection of technology and democracy, specifically focusing on the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on freedom of expression within electoral processes. Over the span of four weeks in April 2024, participants will engage in a comprehensive exploration of this dynamic landscape, gaining insights into the implications of AI advancements on electoral integrity, media freedom, and democratic governance.

The GIJN webinar delved into the critical intersection of investigative journalism and digital threats as they pertain to the 2024 elections, offering a global perspective on the evolving landscape. Esteemed journalists and experts provided insights into the multifaceted challenges posed by digital manipulation across various continents, highlighting the nuanced strategies employed to influence electoral outcomes. Moreover, they equipped attendees with invaluable tips and cutting-edge tools essential for effectively uncovering and countering disinformation campaigns, thereby empowering investigative journalists to uphold the integrity of democratic processes amidst the ever-expanding digital sphere.

A RightsCon Workshop for knowledge exchange to approximate the use of encryption for journalists and media workers.

Digital surveillance is becoming a greater threat to press freedom, especially when governments and private actors use spyware to target journalists and other content creators who report on matters of public interest. Journalists and their sources are increasingly vulnerable to persecution and harassment as a result of these new technologies, raising the risk of self-censorship. In combination with other digital security tools, end-to-end encryption is a powerful tool for preventing such surveillance of journalistic investigations and sources.

This interactive session will build on previous efforts to approximate the use of encryption for journalists and media workers, encouraging participants to share knowledge, resources, and tools available. Finally, the session will also address government efforts to undermine encryption such as India’s Telecommunication Bill, the Child Sexual Abuse legislation in EU, or the Turkish Disinformation Law, and discuss further what journalists can do not only to protect themselves but to advocate for their right to secure communications when reporting on current legislation that affects their privacy.

Facilitators

You can read the workshop report and takeaways here.

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