Digital Rights Foundation is gravely concerned by the the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards), Rules 2020
November 19, 2020Combatting the COVID19 Disinfodemic: A situation analysis for Pakistan
December 1, 2020Online Campaigns and Initiatives
Launch of e-zine
DRF launches e-zine feminist movements go online in Pakistan. The e-zine discusses the onset of feminist movements in the digital age and how social media has become a tool for rallying feminists online.
Click here to access first version of our e-zine:
Podcast: “Do Dost aur Digital pe Kacheri”
In this episode two friends, Simran and Fiha (Communication and Design students at Habib University) talk about the criticality of the digital space. From personal experiences to shared insights, from incidents in their physical surroundings to the ones observed in the digital world, it has it all. This podcast casually unveils the power of the online world as well as the lack of it, taking you on a journey of relatable experiences and hushed conversations.
Listen to the podcast here:
https://soundcloud.com/help-desk-781720443/do-dost-aur-digital-pe-kacheri
#NoHonorInKilling
A recent Supreme Court observation was hailed as an important precedent when it comes to honor killing in Pakistan. Our legal team chose important segments of the observation and posted it on social media to raise awareness about the document.
#ActivismInPandemic
DRF has launched the #ActivismInPandemic campaign highlighting the important work of human rights defenders and journalists have been doing during COVID19. The campaign aims to share experiences of journalists and HRDs during the pandemic and also highlight the importance of managing work and stress during these testing times.
#MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthDay
Following Mental Health Day, our Helpline team shared positive affirmations and different aspects of the mental health discourses. This was an important campaign to stretch past just ‘Mental Health Day’ and use October as a Mental Health Month, given how Pakistani society sees mental health
#BeCyberSmart
As part of the digital security month, we designed an A to campaign to go over the basics of digital security as well as how to be safer online.
#UnMaskTheTruth #StopSilencingJournalists
In collaboration with Free Press Unlimited, Digital Rights Foundation sent face masks with the taglines Unmask the truth and Stop silencing journalists to the members of our Network of Women Journalists to show solidarity with journalists across the globe in our collective support for press freedom and against violence, censorship and persecution. Members shared their photos wearing the masks with a short quote on why they think it is important for journalists to do their work free from violence and threats.
#InternationalInternetDay
On this year’s International Internet Day, the DRF team did a campaign on internet shutdowns and their costs on the digital economy of Pakistan.
Questionnaire on personal data and politics
DRF, along with Media Matters for Democracy, is conducting a survey on the use of personal data by the private sector for purposes of political persuasion.
We would really appreciate it if you can fill out our survey (available in English and Urdu).
Eng: https://forms.gle/dBtNyrGCPELYW6R9A
Urdu: https://forms.gle/G2sarjMDhc5AvcxC6
Policy Initiatives
Open Data Initiative
Data, in today’s hyper-digital world, has been monetised and become a site for exploitation. Those who extract, collect and analyse data have acquired immense power, which is often concentrated in the hands of the few.
As a digital rights and feminist organisation, it is our mission to dismantle these structures of power through open data practices. This initiative of mapping online trends through open data principles is a start. We hope this openness and transparency through sharing of knowledge sparks collaborative work that builds on these open data sets to advocate and fight for social justice in both online and offline spaces!
Learn more about our initiative here.
Mapping gender-based violence since the #motorwayincident
This month we tracked incidents of gender-based violence and child abuse since the motorway incident based off reports from English-language newspapers. The dataset can be accessed here.
Disinformation Campaign from Pro-India Accounts
The research team at DRF compiled a list of accounts and tweets disseminating disinformation through extensive Twitter searches online using keywords such as “Karachi”, “Karachi blast”, “civil war” and “FATF” based on an early analysis of sample tweets being identified by fact-checkers in Pakistan. The tweets were catalogued on this spreadsheet which contains 86 tweets originating from a total of 62 accounts.
A report from the data was published and can be found here.
Report: “Availability and responsiveness of gender-based violence helplines in Pakistan” by Digital Rights Foundation and Chayn
Chayn and Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) have collaborated to conduct a comprehensive study of the helplines and resources available to support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in Pakistan.
This study was conducted between May and June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was conducted at a time when infection rates were rising across the country as the state gradually eased several lockdown restrictions. Over this period, reports of GBV, both online and offline, increased around the country.
You can access the report here: https://bit.ly/2IRPknh.
Fact Checking and Source Verification Manual in times of COVID19
DRF launched it’s fact checking and source verification manual in times of COVID19 for journalists and information practitioners with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation. The manual has been developed keeping in mind this disinfordemic age in times of COVID19.
You can access the manual here:
https://staging-m.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Fake-News.pdf
Cyber Harassment Helpline September Statistics
Cyber Harassment Helpline received 473 complaints in the month of September. In comparison to the previous month of August, this number has slightly increased. It shows that there was a spike in the cases of online violence especially blackmailing through non consensual use of information and images.The number of male complainants calling on behalf of their female friends or family members has also increased. Another observed trend is of social engineering through which people are coerced into sharing their personal details like National Identity Card number, WhatsApp code, bank account details and, e-wallet details making them susceptible to hacking and financial fraud.
Data Privacy Booklet in English and Urdu
DRF with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) released the data privacy booklet in urdu and english highlighting important privacy aspects for young adults. The booklet is specifically designed for young adults and the privacy issues they face online.
You can access the booklet here in Urdu:
https://staging-m.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Data-Privacy-Booklet-Urdu.pdf
You can access the booklet here in English:
https://staging-m.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Data-Privacy-Booklet-English.pdf
Media Coverage
What is emotional regulation and why is it so important?
Kashfa Zafar wrote on what is emotional regulation and why is it so important?
Read the full blog here:
Silent Battles: How Pakistani Women Counter Harassment in Cyberspace
DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline provides resources to victims of harassment online especially women who have no place to go.
Read about the challenges that women face in online spaces here:
https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/silent-battles-how-pakistani-women-counter-harassment-in-cyberspace/
Events and Sessions
Changing the Face of Politics Podcast
DRF’s Nighat Dad took part in a podcast on changing the face of politics with Michelle Bachelet. Nighat Dad highlighted the importance of digital rights and gender equality in a democracy with the former president of Chile Michelle.
You can listen to the full podcast here:
https://t.co/SteeqxlBzt?amp=1
Ezine Launch: Feminist Movements Go Online in Pakistan
Date: October 20, Tuesday Facebook live
Digital Rights Foundation launched its two-part e-magazine titled “Feminist Movements Go Online in Pakistan” to talk about the role online spaces have had in the feminist movement in the country. Some of the authors from the first edition of e-zine came together to discuss the themes they explored in their submissions and the importance of online spaces in creating feminist collectives, communities, and consciousness!
Link to discussion: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=395487908280527
Report Launch: Availability and responsiveness of gender-based violence helplines in Pakistan
Date: October 7 Facebook live
Shmyla from DRF was in conversation with Hera Hussain from Chyan to talk about the launch of our report on helplines working on gender-based violence in Pakistan. The report was done in collaboration with Chayn (you can follow them on Twitter: @ChaynHQ and check out their own on their website: https://chayn.co/).
You can watch the conversation here: https://www.facebook.com/150002775140293/videos/365983301194907/
Refresher on digital safety tools (for journalists, bloggers, researchers and content creators) – 13th and 14th october
A two-day refresher on basic digital safety tools and techniques was conducted by DRF’s Digital Security Expert to reiterate the importance of integrating these practices in their work, especially in times of Covid-19. Each training was attended by around 10 people each.
Meeting on creating synergies regarding COVID19 and the human rights situation in Pakistan – NHRF
DRF participated in a meeting on creating synergies regarding COVID19 and the human rights situation in Pakistan by the Norwegian Human Rights Fund. In the meeting DRF’s Nighat Dad highlighted the importance of civil society collaborating and working together in these testing times.
Rapid Fire Chat
Digital Rights Foundation, held its fourth and fifth RapidFire Chat on 23rd and 29th October. The fourth chat invited two panelists, Sabin Agha and Mehar Khursheed, to discuss the spike in bans and censorship and was moderated by Seerat Khan from DRF. The next chat which was held on the World Internet Day talked about the misogyny of the internet with Saba Bano Malik and Atiya Abbas and was hosted by Huma Umer from DRF. The chats were interactive and fun conversations on otherwise loaded and heavy topics and were meant to have a light conversation during the pandemic when the digital spaces are already laden with workshops, webinars and much more.
Twitter Chat: Home based workers in digital space
DRF’s Nighat Dad participated in a twitter chat by UN Women on home based workers in the digital space. The digital gender divide was highlighted by Nighat Dad along with the added labor that women have to do now due to the pandemic. There was a special emphasis laid on how women need to be empowered more and online spaces need to be made safe for them.
Girls Education during and beyond COVID19- A live webinar series
Science Fuse conducted it’s 4th webinar on girls education during and beyond COVID19. The webinar focused on creating safes for girls both in online and offline spaces. Nighat Dad of DRF participated in the webinar and shed light on how important it is for women to stand together and make online spaces safe just like offline spaces.
Do you think internet access is a human right?
DRF conducted a panel discussion on Facebook live on ‘Do you think internet access is a human right’ with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation on the 28th of October. The panel included DRF’s youth ambassadors Tia Aftab, Zahra Jadoon, Usama Khilji of Bolo Bhi and Nighat Dad executive director of DRF. The discussion focused on what is the internet and why internet access is important.
You can access the Facebook Live discussion here:
https://www.facebook.com/DigitalRightsFoundation/videos/944003699422471/
Cyber Harassment and Offline harassment on campus? What should institutions do?
DRF conducted a panel discussion on ‘cyber harassment and offline harassment on campus? What should institutions do?’ with Friedrich Naumann Foundation on the 29th October. The panel discussion included DRF’s youth ambassadors Kenizeh Khan, Eshal Siddiqui, Barrister Jannat Ali Kalyar and Dania Mukhtar of DRF. The discussion highlighted the responsibility of institutions to protects its student body and the need to believe victims when they share their experiences of online and offline harassment.
You can access the Facebook live discussion here:
https://www.facebook.com/DigitalRightsFoundation/videos/1295949887464040/
Legal Clinic Video with Hope
DRF in collaboration with Hope recorded a legal clinic video with Nighat Dad. DRF’s Nighat Dad highlighted the laws one can use to protect themselves online.
You can access the video here:
Combating Insecurity in the Age of Digital Media Transformations
On 5th and 6th October, DRF organized a workshop for journalists and bloggers on ‘’Combating Insecurity in the Age of Digital Media Transformations’’ in Lahore with Daily Times Newspaper.
The workshop aimed to discourse if the existing media and journalism ethics are suitable for the evolving digital media landscape or new and diverse standards are required to tackle issues of not only advanced digital security (such as malware attacks directed at journalists and media practitioners) but also misinformation and report on online trends. The session also aimed to highlight digital rights and create awareness about the legal landscape that governs digital platforms for the freedom of media and journalists, how to secure their professional and personal data and avoid perilous practices online as many journalists actively use the digital media as part of their jobs but are still unaware of these tools.
How to Tackle Sexual Harassment:
DRF was invited by the Mirror to deliver a virtual talk session on “How to Tackle Sexual Harassment” on 3 October 2020.
Digital Literacy Drive
DRF conducted it’s first session from the Digital Literacy Drive series on the 22nd of October, 2020. The session was headed by Zainab Durrani and Danish Umar who discussed the themes of consent, privacy, the legal protections afforded to the Pakistani digital landscape and the impact of gender disparity on the women and gender minorities.
COVID19 Updates
Cyber Harassment Helpline
Cyber harassment helpline is now available 5 days a week from 9 am to 5 pm through its toll free number and social media platforms.
You can contact the helpline on 080039393 or email us on helpdesk@digitalrightsfoundation.pk between 9 am to 5 pm (monday – friday).
Ab Aur Nahin
In times of COVID19 domestic abuse is at an all time high where victims do not have anywhere to go. Ab Aur Nahin is a confidential legal and counselor support service specifically designed for victims of harassment and abuse.
www.abaurnahin.pk
IWF Portal
DRF in collaboration with Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and the Global Fund to End Violence Against Children launched a portal to combat children’s online safety in Pakistan. The new portal allows internet users in Pakistan to anonymously report child sexual abuse material in three different languages- English, Urdu and Pashto.
www.report.iwf.org.uk/pk
