"Digital technology has revolutionized how political ads are delivered and consumed, giving political campaigns increased possibilities to target and tailor their messaging to specific audiences—a practice known as political microtargeting (PMT). While PMT has potential benefits for society, it al
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so entails significant risks that have yet to be adequately addressed by regulators around the globe. This report offers fundamental guidance on PMT for policymakers, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders, providing recommendations for action and an overview of possible protective measures. Public discourse has so far mostly focused on PMT cases in the Global North, such as US elections or Brexit, whereas the practice is becoming increasingly adopted worldwide. In lower-income countries, the impact of PMT may be felt even more strongly due to context-specific factors such as lower levels of digital skills and media literacy, higher prevalence of political violence, weaker or non-existent legal and regulatory frameworks, and less resilient democratic institutions. This report contributes to balancing the global coverage by focusing on cases and examples from the Global South. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have added to the urgency of investigating PMT, as they amplify the capabilities of targeted messaging and intensify the risk of online disinformation though automated generation and manipulation of content." (Executive summary, page 5)
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"This publication is a directory of the member organisaztions of the German Forum Media and Development (fome) and some of their working areas as of March 2024." (commbox)
"Kenya is the third most innovative economy in sub-Saharan Africa, behind Mauritius and South Africa. (Oxford Insights, 2022, pp.44-46). Therefore, this Artificial Intelligence Practitioners’ Guide (the Guide) has been developed to address AI’s disruption in the tech and legal sector in Kenya. T
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he guide highlights legal frameworks and policies enabling the development of AI-sensitive communities, with well-defined Kenyan-led and -owned entities, as a global node for AI and machine learning growth. It also provides a vehicle for formalizing an independent oversight/advisory body to foster Kenya-led AI and informs AI practitioners of relevant legislative, regulatory, and ethical frameworks. Further, it proposes legislative and regulatory reform to address barriers to AI for social good, thereby promoting a nurturing AI environment while safeguarding citizens‘ civil and privacy rights. The legal resource guide highlights best practices and key legislative, legal, and regulatory considerations for diverse stakeholders seeking to apply AI in Kenya. The Guide discusses the building blocks of AI and how to operate ethically while deploying innovations. It also seeks to help AI practitioners understand the landscape, and for local and international tech entities to tap into the existing talent for developing and deploying emerging technologies. Expectedly, this guide will catalyze innovation work in Kenya and its presence in global tech. It seeks to turn the fear of AI into a trust in its ability to deliver to a country where economic security, food security, and safety remain important realities especially to the most vulnerable." (Executive summary, pages 6-7)
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"In this study we identify and elaborate at least six components of the digital media ecosystem: (1) content creators and distributors; (2) consumers/users; (3) monetization channels; (4) advertising networks, (5) data analytics and insights and (6) social media, streaming and e-commerce platforms.
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Qualitative findings have revealed four major traits of the digital media ecosystem in Western Balkans: (1) market underdevelopment (the market significantly lags behind the developed countries); (2) financial constraints (media outlets are not resourceful enough and lack funding to use advanced services digital media ecosystem offers); (3) media dynamics and technological uptake (traditional media outlets recognize the opportunity in digital media and mostly possess digital channels as secondary screens to their main formats, with larger media also utilizing the opportunities of YouTube and podcast format); (4) driven by donors or media outside of WB (independent media outlets are mainly driven by donors and external investments. Furthermore, the main reasons for slower progress in the media landscape and with media outlets in Western Balkans are identified in the study, namely: (1) economic challenges, (2) lack of infrastructure, (3) regulatory environment, (3) media ownership and control, (4) lack of training and skills and (5) monetization challenges. Each of these reasons are elaborated, with the support of arguments from the primary study.
Comprehensive maps of media outlets and IT companies in the Western Balkans are created, with detailed lists of both categories provided. Here, it can be concluded that there are plenty of actors in both sectors as well as the sector is growing. The study further groups media outlets into three main categories, taking the level of digital transformation and technology adoption: (1) advanced media outlets, (2) media outlets undergoing transformation, and (3) traditional media outlets. In terms of IT companies, and general in the IT sector, which is very prolific in the region, the study selected ones that demonstrate innovativeness and an advanced assortment of services and products, positioning them as potential collaborators for media outlets seeking to improve their digital presence, engagement strategies, and content delivery mechanisms." (Executive summary, pages 1-2)
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"This Working Paper addresses this challenge of adopting innovations. How can development organisations institutionalise a new way of working, bringing what was once novel to the core of how business is done? Analysing successful adoption efforts across five DAC agencies, the paper lays out a propos
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ed process for the adoption of innovations. The paper features five case-studies and concludes with a set of lessons and recommendations for policy makers on innovation management generally, and adoption of innovation in particular." (Abstract)
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"Based on the experience of selected GIZ-implemented projects that were in the process of implementation during the time frame between 2020 and 2022, this guideline offers insights and lessons learned on the preparation and implementation of climat
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e risk communication approaches. In addition, complementary publications from GIZ, partner institutions and communication science and related disciplines were consulted." (Page 8)
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"Several projects, publications and initiatives within German development cooperation already focus on bridging the digital gender divide, for instance by promoting gender-equitable internet access, digital literacy and employment opportunities in the tech sector. This paper aims to build on existin
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g work in the field of gender-based online violence (GBOV) and its influence on political and societal participation. A special focus is put on how GBOV can affect the political and societal participation of women and girls in all their diversity as well as other genders, and how this might be remedied. The objective is to provide German development cooperation with some background information on GBOV to raise awareness of the issue, including a taxonomy of the different forms of GBOV, as well as a first overview of implementation approaches to prevent and address the consequences of GBOV." (Introduction)
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"E-participation is the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) or digital technologies to involve citizens in public decision-making with the goal of empowering citizens and for the benefit of society as a whole. It is part of e-governance, a term that refers to the use of ICTs in
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governance functions. Broadly, e-governance comprises government service provision (e-government); government information platforms and e-participation platforms through which public decision-making takes place. Developments in digital technologies have led to convergence of one or all of e-governance components. For example, with the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments publish health information online for their citizens. During particular campaigns, such as vaccination drives, government officers use their systems to contact people, collect data and provide the vaccination and follow-ups. The same system may be used to collect feedback on services received." (Introduction, page 1)
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"The Government of Madhya Pradesh is committed to ensure the overall development of all its residents, especially women and children. The Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) works to sustainably improve health and nutrition outcomes for women of reproductive age and children below 6 yea
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rs, enable holistic development and protection of children and ensure safety, equity and empowerment of women. The department implements the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme for improving maternal and infant nutrition and health. It also implements the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) and various other schemes and programmes for health, gender equality and women empowerment. Over the years, a lot of progress has been made. However, there are still a few indicators that are not doing well as expected. Census 2011, National Family Health Survey – 4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-21) have found that low sex ratio, lack of women empowerment, experiencing gender-based violence, substance abuse, low female literacy, child marriage and small landholdings are some of the determinants of poor health and empowerment of women and children. Individual and community behaviours, attitudes, social norms and practices are some of the reasons for such indicators.
To bring about an improvement in these indicators and positively transform the status of women and children in Madhya Pradesh, a comprehensive state-specific social and behaviour change (SBC) strategy has been developed for DWCD. This strategy is supported by the recommendations provided in the department’s other policies. The state’s Nutrition Policy (2020-30) emphasizes on the importance of designing SBCC plans in local dialects for its acceptability and greater involvement of the community. The centre’s Poshan Abhiyan which DWCD follows stresses on community mobilisation and behaviour change, highlighting the need to take-up sustained efforts requiring multi-pronged approach and bring grass-root synergy and convergence. The state’s Child Protection Policy (2020) also highlights the need to build awareness and stakeholder capacities to strengthen implementation and the enabling environment to ensure child well-being and protection. This document details the SBC strategy which includes thematic area-wise priority and desired behaviours that should be practised by the target groups for improved indicators, barriers and enablers to its adoption, key messages to be communicated and strategic approach and interventions that will facilitate positive change." (Introduction)
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"Die vorliegende Publikation ist ein erster Versuch, die Querschnittsthemen digitale Transformation und Geschlechtergerechtigkeit auf der Grundlage der feministischen Entwicklungspolitik Deutschlands zusammenzudenken. Die deutsche feministische Ent
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wicklungspolitik will in einem globalen System, das weiterhin von einer ungleichen Verteilung sozialer, wirtschaftlicher und politischer Macht geprägt ist, entscheidende Veränderungen erwirken. Die Herausforderungen und Hindernisse sind jedoch vielfältig: von bewaffneten Konflikten über Klimaextreme, zunehmenden Hunger und Armut bis hin zum weltweiten Erstarken von Anti-Gender-Bewegungen. Die digitale Transformation fügt der Komplexität hier eine weitere Ebene hinzu. Digitale Technologien – von Smartphones, intelligenten Geräten und Software bis hin zu künstlicher Intelligenz (KI), digitalen Plattformen und Blockchain – eröffnen viele Möglichkeiten für Empowerment und sozialen Wandel. Gleichzeitig spiegeln Technologien die physische Welt und ihre Systeme der Marginalisierung und Unterdrückung wie Patriarchat, Rassismus und Kolonialismus wider. Trotz der in ihr verankerten und reproduzierten Ungleichheiten bleibt das Anliegen, die Potenziale der digitalen Transformation zu nutzen, weiterhin ein Handlungsfeld der deutschen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit.
Die neue feministische Entwicklungspolitik Deutschlands baut auf dem bisherigen Engagement auf und geht gleichzeitig neue Wege. Sie setzt sich für eine geschlechtergerechte digitale Transformation und digitale Teilhabe für alle ein. Gleichzeitig ist das zukünftige Ziel, alle Formen struktureller und systemischer Ursachen von Ungleichheit zu überwinden, die in der heutigen globalen Gesellschaft tief verwurzelt sind. Insbesondere letzterer Aspekt bedeutet auch, den Status quo der gegenwärtigen digitalen Transformation und digitalen Entwicklungspolitik grundlegend in Frage zu stellen. Die vorliegende Studie verdeutlicht, dass eine feministische Entwicklungspolitik im digitalen Raum vielschichtig ist und umfasst eine Bandbreite sich überschneidender Themen. In erster Linie bedeutet eine feministische Entwicklungspolitik für den digitalen Raum jedoch die Überwindung der anhaltenden digitalen Geschlechterkluft." (Zusammenfassung, Seite 6)
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