"The surveillance of journalists, including using spyware technology, poses a fundamental threat to media freedom, the digital safety of journalists, and source protection within the European Union. The agreement on the European Media Freedom Act in December 2023 offers some further protections agai
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nst the fast evolving threat to journalists and their sources. Those involved in pushing the deal over the line and ensuring the removal of explicit references to national security in exemptions deserve credit. Yet the full impact of the Article 4 provisions – as all other new rules in the EMFA – remains to be seen and effective implementation will be vital. Greece and Hungary offer the strongest examples of why strong enforcement will be needed. However, both countries have already demonstrated how overly broad and vague exemptions for national security have already been used to justify the otherwise unjustifiable surveillance of journalists." (Conclusion)
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"This policy paper provides an overview of Russian information warfare in the Middle East. It includes a brief overview of Russian information warfare methods and Russian foreign policy in the Middle East. It then delves into Russian information warfare in the Middle East, evaluates its effectivenes
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s and differentiates Russia’s strategy towards Israel and the Arab states. The report ends with a list of recommendations that any state and organization can adopt to fight disinformation and Russian information warfare in particular. The paper focuses on a very recent time frame, especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. To ensure a comprehensive report, a wide variety of sources was used: academic research, think tank reports, military intelligence reports, news articles and interviews with topic experts. It includes many real examples (screenshots) of Russian content." (Executive summary)
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"Two years in the making, this report unfolds regional perspectives of new forms of funding, financing and investment for public interest media. It provides a multistakeholder reflection in four regions of the world on how public interest media can best be supported over the next decade. Through con
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textualised research, it offers insights into the funding landscape including opportunities, needs, challenges, gaps and recommendations. The question is not whether interventions are needed to tackle the economic crisis facing journalism, but how this support should be structured. The report sheds new light on what it will take to deliver sustainable and independent media that truly deliver journalism that is a public good." (Summary)
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"This study investigates the experiences of journalists during COVID-19 pandemic from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) through a series of focus group discussions (FGDs). The research aims to develop strategies for enhancing journalists' capabilities and well-being in anticipat
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ion of future pandemics. The FGDs involved seasoned journalists from central press clubs in all regions, who provided insights into the challenges they faced and the strategies they adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis, conducted using NVivo software, revealed eight key themes related to the pandemic's impact on journalism. These themes informed a set of consolidated recommendations designed to improve journalists' safety, mental health, and access to information. The recommendations also emphasize strengthening legal protections, creating capacity-building opportunities, fostering networking and collaboration, and implementing specialized health reporting training. By addressing these recommendations, the study proposes a framework to bolster journalists' resilience and effectiveness in navigating future crises." (Abstract)
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"This report draws on insights from the workshop, along with recent academic and journalistic publishing. It highlights three major issues: How generative AI can make disinformation campaigns faster, more targeted, and more persuasive. How newsrooms’ adoption of AI tools can lead to inaccuracies a
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nd other risks. How AI may threaten the viability of professional journalism, including through automation and content generation that replaces human journalists. In response, journalists are developing investigative practices to expose disinformation campaigns, experimenting with AI tools to make their own work more efficient, and developing ethical guidelines and labour protections to defend professional journalism. Likewise, the news industry, policymakers, and platforms are considering responses that range from workforce training to newsroom innovation to new professional guidelines to AI regulation. Through this report, CSDI hopes to contribute to important public conversations about the impact of new technologies on journalism and our information environments. Ultimately, the responses developed by journalists, policymakers, technologists, and citizens will shape our efforts to understand the world and act as democratic citizens." (Abstract)
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"As South Africa adopts reforms to further strengthen its economy across multiple sectors, this country review presents the policy, legislative, and governance frameworks that are enabling South Africa’s digital transformation. It includes a review of key institutions and collaborative digital reg
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ulation practices, as well as common themes related to digital sector policies and frameworks. This review draws on policy, legal, and regulatory instruments in place and it reflects the insights and challenges based on the research and analysis of official document, interviews conducted with public- and private-sector stakeholders and exchanges with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The report also leverages ITU resources, including the Unified framework to assess the state of readiness of policy, governance, and legal frameworks that are enabling digital transformation in South Africa. This country review concludes with high-level recommendations and suggested next steps for collaborative digital regulation and includes considerations of ongoing global discussions related to digital technologies and services." (Introduction)
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"A thriving digital economy depends on all people being able to connect to the internet. Achieving global connectivity requires maintaining and growing the vast network of subsea cables that connect most around the world to the internet. This brief provides an introduction to the current policy and
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regulatory issues relating to subsea internet cables for policymakers in low- and middle-income countries. It adds to the growing body of evidence about the importance of these policy issues by focusing on the significant impact on digital transformation and digital inclusion that these cables represent." (Introduction)
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"Antisemitism Surges Online: Antisemitic content on platforms like X spiked by 919 percent following the October 7 Hamas attacks, spreading hate that deeply affects Jewish users, especially the young. Enhanced moderation systems combining AI and human oversight, along with stricter regulations, are
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needed to curb this surge.
Gaming as a Breeding Ground for Hate: Unmoderated gaming spaces foster antisemitic slurs, memes, and symbols, normalizing hate speech in digital culture. Gaming platforms must implement stronger moderation, promote education, and create inclusive communities.
Anonymity Fuels Toxicity: Anonymous accounts enable users to engage in hate speech without any fear of repercussions, fostering a hostile online environment. Balancing user privacy with accountability through improved tracking and penalties can address this issue.
Algorithms Amplify Hate Speech: Social media algorithms prioritize divisive content, creating echo chambers that spread antisemitism and extremist ideas. Platforms must redesign algorithms to limit harmful content, with oversight and updated laws holding them accountable." (Executive summary)
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"The objective of this report is two-fold. First, the report breaks down the energy and emissions profile of the sector and assesses the 30 highest emitting countries for telecommunications while providing global estimates for other ICT sector segments. The report uses a key framework for categorizi
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ng energy use and emissions, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard. Scope 1: Emissions are direct emissions from owned or controlled sources; Scope 2: Emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by the firm; Scope 3: Emissions are all indirect emissions, upstream or downstream, (not included in Scope 2) that occur in the firm’s value chain. Second, the report addresses the policy and regulatory implications inferred from this data and the examination of these issues through several country case studies." (Executive summary, page 2)
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"Satellite technology represents a transformative solution to global connectivity challenges, particularly in developing countries and in rural and remote regions. By expanding connectivity in these historically underserved areas, satellite networks are bridging the digital divide and driving sustai
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nable development through improved access to health care, education, employment and financial inclusion. The continued success and growth of satellite services hinges on supportive policy and regulatory frameworks and enhanced collaboration between governments, industry and regulators. Clear regulatory environments, investment incentives and strengthened partnerships between satellite operators and terrestrial service providers will be crucial in maximizing the transformative benefits of satellite technology and in fostering affordable, resilient and meaningful universal connectivity for all." (Conclusion)
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"The Policy Brief covers pathways for reform of government regulation or public policy with respect to areas applicable to platform workers. These include: a) Laws and statutes enacted by the legislative branch or Congress; and b) Administrative issuances made by the executive branch [...] Further,
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it must be noted that judicial decisions promulgated by the Supreme Court also form part of the Philippine legal system. Indeed, numerous judicial decisions clarify rights pertaining to labour. Foremost in these decisions are the elements in determining the existence of employment relationship, more commonly known today as the four-fold test, which was first enunciated in the Supreme Court decision of Viaña v. Al-Lagadan in 1956. For the purposes of this Policy Brief, these doctrines will be considered as governing law or of what constitutes the present policy and legal landscape from which gaps may be identified. However, possible changes in the doctrines promulgated by the Supreme Court are excluded from the coverage for being judicial, and not political in nature. Thus, the Policy Brief includes proposals that can be adopted either through a legislative act or an executive or administrative issuance, taking into consideration the nuances of the breadth of legislative processes and the limits of executive rulemaking as merely directed to an existing law’s implementation." (Executive summary, page 6)
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"The APWR calls on regional institutions and national government agencies to consider the following recommendations: 1. Standardise commission rates [...]
2. Mandate platforms to provide risk mitigation strategies and safety nets [...]
3. The contracts and/or terms and conditions must be subject to
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the Law of the Land [...]
4. Platforms must integrate anti-discrimination policies, and not punish workers who speak up against discrimination [...]
5. Make provisions for the recognition of worker associations, unions and collective bargaining rights [...] (Pages 7-9)
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"This research article presents an examination of the findings and recommendations drawn from a series of focus group discussions (FGDs) with senior journalists. The main aim was to develop a strategy to safeguard the skills and well-being of journalists in the face of potential future pandemics or
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crises. The FGDs were attended by experienced journalists whose focus was on rigorous reporting during the COVID-19 pandemic. They represented press clubs from across Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). In these discussions, participants presented the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies they used to overcome these hurdles. In addition, the deliberations resulted in recommendations aimed at creating a safe environment for journalists to work, especially in crises. Using the analytical capabilities of the NVivo software, a thematic analysis was conducted to decipher the core themes of the FGDs. These themes have now been summarized in a set of consolidated recommendations that form the cornerstone of this research project. The recommendations advocate for improvements that include strengthening safety measures, prioritizing mental health and well-being, ensuring unimpeded access to important information, increasing legal protections, cultivating capacity-building opportunities, strengthening networks and collaborations, and introducing specialized training in health reporting. By implementing these recommendations, a framework can be created that strengthens journalists’ resilience in the face of crises. This article sees these findings not only as a blueprint for journalistic safety but also as evidence of the strength and adaptability of the journalistic community in the face of unprecedented challenges." (Abstract)
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