Digital rights

Digital rights refers to your right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas online, without fear or restriction from surveillance, censorship or laws silencing dissent.

As people turn to digital environments as a way of expressing views they may not feel safe expressing through other channels, more and more governments are using legislation, including privacy and national security laws, to gain control over digital spaces and infrastructure.

In addition, rights such as the right to privacy online have not yet been entrenched in the minds and actions of many citizens and yet citizens across the continent are using various technological services (email, social networking, banking etc.) every day, without adequate safeguards.

Digital rights news from our chapters

MISA launches fifth annual state of press freedom report

MISA launches fifth annual state of press freedom report

MISA Regional officially launched the fifth edition of the State of Press Freedom in Southern Africa report on 8 May 2025, a key evidence-based advocacy tool for improving the safety of journalists in the region.   The 2025 report was launched at the belated...