"This progress report presents the main findings and achievements of a self-evaluation exercise conducted by the responsible UNESCO project officers at Headquarters and in the relevant Field Offices." (Page 3)
"The Syrian independent exile media as a sector is at the core of this study. To understand the unique nature of this sector, the study contextualises the issues pertaining to the Syrian independent exile media in the wider framework of exile media globally, and donors’ approaches to media develop
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ment in the context of conflict, postconflict and fragile states (including approaches to exile media); it also discusses lessons learned more generally and draws on examples through case studies. The study is divided into two parts: 1. Independent exile media globally — practices, policies and lessons learned; and 2. Syrian exile organisations and institutions." (Executive summary)
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"For the last 6 months, the Internews' Rooted in Trust project has collected more than 5,238 rumours from seven countries: Afghanistan, Lebanon, Philippines, Colombia, Central African Republic, Mali and Sudan. We work in 12 local languages and collect data across seven major social media platforms a
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nd a wide range of feedback collection channels, including door-to-door surveys, informal meetings, assessments, community meetings, listening groups, SMS, and radio, with 27 partners across the seven countries. This Global Rumour Bulletin brings together our reflections on two key themes that represent more than 20% of all rumours collected across the seven project sites: rumours that the pandemic either doesn’t exist at all, or that it is a conspiracy, and rumours about vaccines and vaccinations. On the final page you will find a set of recommendations on how we feel the response to rumours and misinformation on these two key themes can be improved." (Introduction)
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"Our 2020 report highlights the recent trends of computational propaganda across 81 countries and the evolving tools, capacities, strategies, and resources used to manipulate public opinion around the globe. We identify three key trends in this year’s inventory of disinformation activity: 1. Cyber
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troop activity continues to increase around the world. This year, we found evidence of 81 countries using social media to spread computational propaganda and disinformation about politics. This has increased from last years’ report, in which we identified 70 countries with cyber troop activity. 2. Over the last year, social media firms have taken important steps to combat the misuse of their platforms by cyber troops. Public announcements by Facebook and Twitter between January 2019 and November 2020 reveal that more than 317,000 accounts and pages have been removed by the platforms. Nonetheless, almost US $10 million has still been spent on political advertisements by cyber troops operating around the world. 3. Private firms increasingly provide manipulation campaigns. In our 2020 report, we found firms operating in forty-eight countries, deploying computational propaganda on behalf of a political actor. Since 2018 there have been more than 65 firms offering computational propaganda as a service. In total, we have found almost US $60 million was spent on hiring these firms since 2009." (Executive summary)
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"The Child Online Safety Index (COSI) measures the level of online safety for children across the world based on six pillars: Cyber Risks, Disciplined Digital Use, Digital Competency, Guidance & Education, Social Infrastructure, and Connectivity. Each of these pillars are formed by 2-8 focused areas
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, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of online safety for children. A COSI score was calculated for each country ranging from 0 (the worst online safety for children) to 100 (the best online safety for children)." (https://www.dqinstitute.org)
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"More than half of girls surveyed, from around the world, have been harassed and abused online. One in four girls abused online feels physically unsafe as a result. Online abuse is silencing girls' voices. Girls are harassed just for being girls and it gets worse if they speak up about issues they c
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are about. Race, sexuality and disability are targeted too. Nowhere feels safe, and for many, online harassment that follows them into their homes, and invades their hearts and minds, is just as frightening, physically and emotionally, as street harassment. The two are interwoven – the result of underlying misogyny that is determined to keep girls and women “in their place.” Perpetrators who threaten rape and physical violence, use abusive and sexist language, post manipulated photos and send pornographic pictures are able to remain anonymous and unconstrained; girls are often afraid, begin to restrict what they post and are forced to try and protect themselves. It is time for this to stop. Girls and young women are demanding change. Their experiences are not “normal” and girls should not have to put up with behaviour online which would be criminal on the streets. Governments and social media companies must take action." (Key findings, page 7)
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"This paper brings together 7 case studies on closing democratic space by experts from countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa as well as examples from Europe. The paper concludes with actionable recommendations for preventing and reacting to closing democratic space. Three
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broad tactics to close democratic space were identified in the research that we suggest as a framework of analysis for understanding closing democratic space. These are: 1. Restricting civic space (particularly freedom of expression, assembly and association) with various legal, administrative, extra-legal and political measures, and thereby inhibiting the proper functioning of media outlets, emerging political (opposition) forces, and civil society organisations (CSOs); 2. Changing the rules of the game so as to create an uneven playing field for political contestation. This includes the abuse of state resources by the incumbent, skewed reforms in political party and electoral legislation, and one-sided private and illicit financing in campaigning; 3. Undermining the separation of powers, notably the independence of the judiciary, and thereby politicising legal processes, and allowing impunity and violence to shape the activities of citizens, media actors and CSOs." (Executive summary, page 4-5)
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"There is a large body of research that has examined digital inequities, inequalities, and divides—i.e., those countries, communities, and individuals digitally left behind or disadvantaged. Whereas we know quite a lot about what is lacking and for whom, there is less focus on what works to allevi
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ate these inequalities and divides in a variety of cultural contexts. This thematic issue brings together scholarship on digital inclusion initiatives and research from over 20 countries and in the context of numerous aspects, including different types of initiatives as well as different types of target audiences for these initiatives. Each article provides unique insights into what does and does not work in various communities, making recommendations on what could be done to improve the examined initiatives. We hope that the breadth and depth of articles presented here will be useful not just for academic audiences seeking to broaden their understanding of digital inclusion and ‘what can be done’ rather than focusing on ‘what is amiss,’ but also for policymakers and digital inclusion initiatives who are eager to expand and advance their digital inclusion work within their communities." (Abstract, page 132)
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"Lange Zeit gab es wenig Kritik an dem, was die großen Digitalkonzerne mit den Daten ihrer Kunden machten. Doch die Diskussion um »Manipulations-Kapitalismus « und »Datenökonomie«, um zwei Begriffe zu nennen, die in der Diskussion über Vor- und Nachteile sozialer Medien oft zu hören sind, ni
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mmt zunehmend Fahrt auf – nicht zuletzt im Blick auf politische Wahlkämpfe. Vielfältige Einblicke in diesen Problemkomplex ermöglicht die Themen-DVD Afrika_Digital.2 – Start-ups und Künstler-Träume. Sie greift darüber hinaus Fragen der Menschenrechte im Verlauf der Produktions- und Gebrauchszyklen von Mobiltelefonen auf – und ist damit auch als Fortsetzung der Kompilations-DVD Digital – mobil – und Fair? zu verstehen. Und nicht zuletzt gilt es hier auch, den anderen, weitgehend positiv grundierten Blick auf Afrika hervorzuheben. Dies betrifft sowohl die hierzulande wenig bekannte Start-up-Szene, als auch die beiden ästhetisch innovativen Kurzfilme Algo-Rhythm und Zombies, die Bestandteil dieser DVD sind und bereits mehrfach mit Preisen ausgezeichnet wurden. In der dokumentarischen Kurzfilmreihe 10 von 199 kleinen Helden nehmen uns vier Mädchen und sechs Jungen mit auf ihren Weg zur Schule. Die Kinder sind mit dem Boot, zu Fuß oder über schwankende Hängebrücken unterwegs, während sie uns an ihren Gedanken über ihren Platz in der Welt teilhaben lassen. Der dreiteilige Dokumentarfilm The Food Challenge – Wie die Ernährung sichern beschreibt, analysiert und problematisiert die Geschäftspraktiken der großen Internationalen Chemiekonzerne in Kenia, die dort weiterhin Agrarpestizide vermarkten, die wegen ihrer Schädlichkeit in Europa und den USA oft schon lange verboten sind.
Gleich drei Filme thematisieren unterschiedliche Facetten des Themas Migration. Der niederländische Jugendfilm Rafaël erzählt eine dramatische Liebesgeschichte vor dem Hintergrund des Arabischen Frühlings und der Bootsflüchtlinge auf der Mittelmeerroute. Auf das organisierte Durcheinander europäischer Migrationspolitik blicken wir dabei aus der Perspektive einer jungen Europäerin, die selbst existentiell davon betroffen ist. Der Dokumentarfilm Die neuen Kinder von Golzow begleitet im Mikrokosmos dieser kleinen, legendär gewordenen Ortschaft die Aufnahme einer syrischen Flüchtlingsfamilie und ihre Bemühungen, sich zu integrieren. Yves’ Versprechen erzählt die mehrjährige Migrationsgeschichte eines jungen Kameruners, deren Vielschichtigkeit gerade auch deshalb spannend ist, weil sie die Perspektive der zuhause gebliebenen Familie und Freunde klug mit einzubinden weiß." (Editorial, Seite 1)
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"Social media’s relationship with violent conflict is complex; there is no simple cause-effect relationship. These ten case studies indicate that there are a variety of factors at play that im-pact how social media affects conflict dynamics. This report documents an array of observable patterns as
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published in ten policy briefs (see links above). We argue there is a “techtonic shift” happening; people are using technology in ways that exacerbate some of the most concerning trends and challenges inhibiting democracy and fueling violent conflict. 1. Social media is a double-edged sword having both good and bad effects on society [...] 2. Social media is a “strategic space” for diverse stakeholders [...] 3. Fundamental characteristics of digital communication seem to be responsible for both negative and positive social media impacts [...] 4. The unique profit motives, design, and algorithms of social media platforms seem to be responsible for some of the problems related to social media, democracy and conflict [...] 5. Social media technology aggravates and enflames existing neurological, social, and institutional vulnerabilities [...] 6. Negative social media impacts seem to interact with each other ... 7. There are observable patterns between online speech and digitally enflamed threats to democracy and direct violence [...] 8. Because of the complex system driving negative social media impacts, a multi-stakeholder approach is necessary to address social media threats." (Pages 3-7)
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"Higher levels of disposable incomes, growing urbanization and mobility, and further industrialization in some parts of the world are leading to growing amounts of EEE. On average, the total weight (excluding photovoltaic panels) of global EEE consumption increases annually by 2.5 million metric ton
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s (Mt). After its use, EEE is disposed of, generating a waste stream that contains hazardous and valuable materials. This waste stream is referred to as e-waste, or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), a term used mainly in Europe. This monitor provides the most comprehensive update of global e-waste statistics. In 2019, the world generated a striking 53.6 Mt of e-waste, an average of 7.3 kg per capita. The global generation of e-waste grew by 9.2 Mt since 2014 and is projected to grow to 74.7 Mt by 2030 – almost doubling in only 16 years.
The growing amount of e-waste is mainly fueled by higher consumption rates of EEE, short life cycles, and few repair options. Asia generated the highest quantity of e-waste in 2019 at 24.9 Mt, followed by the Americas (13.1 Mt) and Europe (12 Mt), while Africa and Oceania generated 2.9 Mt and 0.7 Mt, respectively. Europe ranked first worldwide in terms of e-waste generation per capita, with 16.2 kg per capita. Oceania was second (16.1 kg per capita), followed by the Americas (13.3 kg per capita), while Asia and Africa generated just 5.6 and 2.5 kg per capita, respectively. In 2019, the formal documented collection and recycling was 9.3 Mt, thus 17.4% compared to e-waste generated. It grew with 1.8 Mt since 2014, an annual growth of almost 0.4 Mt. However, the total e-waste generation increased by 9.2 Mt, with an annual growth of almost 2 Mt. Thus the recycling activities are not keeping pace with the global growth of e-waste. The statistics show that in 2019, the continent with the highest collection and recycling rate was Europe with 42.5%, Asia ranked second at 11.7%, the Americas and Oceania were similar at 9.4% and 8.8%, respectively, and Africa had the lowest rate at 0.9%. The fate of 82.6% (44.3 Mt) of e-waste generated in 2019 is uncertain, and its whereabouts and the environmental impact varies across the different regions." (Executive summary, pages 13-14)
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"Nearly USD 428 billion is required to achieve universal access to broadband connectivity by 2030 at the global level. This amount includes significant investment in infrastructure, investments to design and implement policy and regulatory frameworks that incentivize and promote growth in broadband
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connectivity and investments to support and equip populations around the world with the necessary basic digital skills (the skills necessary to navigate the Internet and to use commonly available local applications) and the content needed to benefit meaningfully from broadband access and use.
Achieving the target of connecting all of humanity to broadband Internet by 2030 is, above all, an infrastructure investment challenge. Around 2.6million 4G BTS and700 000 km of backbone fibre transmission infrastructure would have to be rolled out on top of the existing broadband network capabilities. Around 90 per cent of the required investments are directly tied to the need to roll out and maintain broadband networks to support the additional connected user base and related traffic. In addition, 40 per cent of total investments would have to be allocated to CAPEX buildout for last mile broadband and transmission networks capable of reaching and serving at least 90 per cent of the target population. This shows that deploying new infrastructure and upgrading the existing one will be necessary to guarantee a 4G equivalent connection to everyone. While in some regions bridging the connectivity gap predominantly means upgrading existing coverage and capacity sites, nearly half of the required radio access network (RAN) infrastructure investment in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and East Asia/Pacific will be greenfield. This increases the overall weight of investments in such regions to a large extent, especially given the fact that greenfield CAPEX often demands equity premium. Moreover, considerably more capacity would be needed as technology evolves and demand grows, and this means existing infrastructure reach and capacity will constantly need to be expanded." (Pages 4-5)
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"This series of posters featured as part of an exhibition at ‘Switched On: Sexuality Education in the Digital Space’, a symposium held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 19 - 21 February, 2020. The posters are snapshots of digital sexuality education providers who are doing just that – taking sexuality
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education to the digital spaces where adolescents and young people can search for and hopefully find, the information they need. These are just a few of thousands of platforms that have emerged throughout the world and have been selected because of their innovative approaches and geographic spread. This diverse collection of providers operates in over 30 countries, delivering accurate and nonjudgemental information in Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, Hindi, Kazakh, Kenyan sign language, Russian, Turkish, and other languages. They deliver in areas of high and low connectivity through websites, apps, social media and other platforms." (Page 1)
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"This edition’s 28 essays in three sections take into account changes in the global communication landscape especially in the last ten years. The first section contains essays that provide conceptual linkages between public relations and international political systems, economic systems and levels
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of development, societal culture, different media systems including digital media, and activism. Essays in the second section discuss the communication of various global actors such as corporations (including family-owned enterprises), non-profits, governments (and public sector enterprises), global public relations agencies, IGOs such as the European Union and NATO and “informal” organizations such as hactivist groups, terrorists, and failed states. The third section discusses key global communication issues such as climate change, character assassination as a communication tool, internal communication, risk and crisis communication, public affairs, and public diplomacy." (Publisher description)
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"Asociada en sus comienzos a un movimiento libertario horizontal y cooperativo, la Red de redes está siendo cooptada por las grandes corporaciones del capitalismo global y convirtiéndose en un peligroso dispositivo de vigilancia ciudadana. Un proceso que la disrupción provocada por la pandemia de
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l coronavirus ha acelerado bruscamente. A través del análisis de destacados intelectuales, apoyado en un amplio despliegue de mapas, gráficos, infografías y cronologías, 'El Atlas de la revolución digital' constituye un aporte a la comprensión de las vertiginosas mutaciones que están cambiando el mundo tal como lo conocíamos. Una herramienta para reflexionar sobre los alcances de la revolución digital y recuperar el control sobre las tecnologías que se están apoderando de nuestras vidas." (Cubierta del libro)
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"Brings together diverse issues and expert perspectives of twenty-two notable and accomplished communication scholars, representing eight countries around the world. Together they discuss international communication, public relations and advertising, cultural implications of globalization, internati
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onal law and regulation, transnational media, the shifting politics of media, trends in communication and information technology, and much more. The Third Edition is fully updated to reflect major events that have impacted our global communication environment. Three new chapters on “global journalism” and “gender, ethnicity, and religion,” and “Shifting Politics in Global Media and Communication” have been added to make this volume more comprehensive." (Publisher description)
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