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 Zimbabwe analysis and position on new data regulations 

MISA Zimbabwe analysis and position on new data regulations 

The Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] was gazetted on December 3rd , 2021, and came into force on the same day.  In essence, the data protection law mandates that all businesses operating in Zimbabwe (and outside) adhere to data protection and privacy...

Zimbabwe should stay the course in reducing media freedom violations

Zimbabwe should stay the course in reducing media freedom violations

This year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI), commemorated annually on 2 November, offers Zimbabwe the opportunity to reflect on how best it can improve its international press freedom rankings. The commemorations are being held...

MISA Communiqué on the All Africa Judges and Jurists Summit

MISA Communiqué on the All Africa Judges and Jurists Summit

The All  Africa Judges and Jurists Summit convened in Nairobi, Kenya, from 17 - 18 September 2024, ended with a call to affirm judicial independence and address challenges to judicial independence and the rule of law in Africa.  The Summit expressed deep concern over...