Combatting the COVID19 Disinfodemic: A situation analysis for Pakistan
December 1, 2020December 2020 Newsletter: DRF shares statistics around Instances of gender based violence in Pakistan for the #16DaysOfActivism campaign
January 18, 2021Online Campaigns and Initiatives
Digital 50.50 Gender and Privacy
The fourth edition of the Digital 50.50 was launched in November which focused on gender and privacy in digital spaces. The edition covered different aspects on the intersection of gender and privacy in the digital spaces, including privacy of journalists online, how women are constantly watched and how it impacts their behaviour in online spaces, how discussion have shifted from national security to morality and the spate in banning of apps and content under this pretext. The magazine can be accessed here
#Orangetheworld #16days
#16DaysOfActivism is an annual, international campaign against gender based violence. This campaign is spearheaded by the UN. This year’s theme revolved about online gender based violence, and DRF’s campaign highlighted the disturbing trend towards online violence in Pakistan, and has also laid out interventions, and solutions to this problem.
Maru Website and DRF collaboration on 16days
Just a few of the amazing anti-harassment orgs collated on the Maru website: @GlitchUK_ @takebackthetech @CybersmileHQ @DigitalRightsPK @eSafetyOffice @TIERsNigeria @PermessoNegato https://t.co/hiBCwAemJq thank you too all of you for your work✨ https://t.co/1FAA1Z1COH
— Feminist Internet (@feministintrnet) November 26, 2020
Feminist Movements Go Online: Imagining Feminist Futures Online
Launch of second edition of ezine “Feminist Movements Go Online: Imagining Feminist Futures Online” on November 6th. In this edition the contributors looked at the internet and its role in movements from a critical lens in order to help develop possible futures of women and gender minorities on the internet. The launch was marked with a webinar with all the contributors on Facebook Live that can be accessed here.
The ezine can be assessed here.
#PrivacyIsARight #BeCyberSmart
As part of Digital Safety month, the DRF team developed the ABCs of Cyber Security that was shared during this entire month. The aim was to spread general awareness about digital safety issues as well as how to keep oneself safe from these common threats, and what to do if and when you become a target.
#UnmaskTheTruth #StopSilencingJournalists #stopviolenceagainstwomen
On November 2, to commemorate the International Day to End Impunity Against Journalists, Digital Rights Foundation conducted an online campaign. On the day, at 3 pm, DRF team observed silence for a minute to pay tribute to all the journalists who were killed for reporting the news and bringing accurate information to the masses. Impunity leads to more killings and is a breakdown of law and the judicial system. The campaign material was uploaded with the hashtags #TruthNeverDies, #EndImpunity, #SahafatJurmNahe (Journalism is not a crime). We also reiterated and reminded everyone that we have not forgotten Shaheena’s brutal murder. It was a grim reminder that women journalists face innumerable barriers and threats on the basis of their gender. On #EndImpunity Day for crimes against journalists, the NWJDR shared their statement again to reiterate the demands.
#SahafatAurSachayi by FPU and FNF
DRF, Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and Freedom Press Unlimited (FPU) launched a mini web series on the infodemic in times of COVID19. The #SahafatAurSachayi series focused on different aspects of fake news in times of the pandemic and what must we do in order to counter misinformation and disinformation online.
#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.
Policy Initiatives
Legal Analysis – Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2020:
Digital Rights Foundation is gravely concerned by the the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards), Rules 2020:
DRF published it’s policy brief on the ‘Impact and Legality of Surveillance’:
This policy brief, prepared by the Digital Rights Foundation, discusses the issue of the constitutionality and social impact of surveillance, particularly from a human rights perspective, and its impact on democratic freedoms.
Gender-based violence cases in Pakistan
As part of a study by the Digital Rights Foundation, a mapping exercise of gender-based violence cases since the Motorway Incident has revealed that in 64 days 123 cases of rape and gang rape have been reported across Pakistan.
https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1326503911365218305?s=20
Addressing Online Attacks on Women Journalists in Pakistan
This policy brief aims to discuss the increased incidence of online violence and targeted harassment against female journalists, and its implications on freedom of speech and dissent.
https://staging-m.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Policy-1.pdf
Punjab Police Women Safety App
In a policy brief examining the Punjab Police Women Safety App, as an organization working on tech and gender for a number of years, the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) sees the approach and the application both as wholly inadequate for tackling the issue of gender-based violence in the country.
https://twitter.com/DigitalRightsPK/status/1326510045048287232?s=20
250 recommendations on how to stop infodemics
In collaboration with the Forum on Information and Democracy, and based on more than 100 contributions from international experts, the Digital Rights Foundation offered 250 recommendations on how to rein in a phenomenon that threatens democracies and human rights, including the right to health.
250 recommendations to stop disinformation on social media. States and platforms, get inspired! A honor to have been the lead rapporteur of this report @cigionline @CIVICUSalliance @ISDglobal @freepressunltd @DigitalRightsPK @Observacom @opengovpart https://t.co/FGydDoDppi
— Delphine Halgand-Mishra (@DelphineHalgand) November 12, 2020
Thanks @nighatdad 4 briefing me on #PECA & #SocialMediaRules -Great analysis done by @mmfd_Pak
Bottom lines:Urgent Action: de notify
Why: Think ROLE of law first before thinking RULE of Law#digitalpakistan # Tech birth-controlMet @ShahNafisa who is taking it up in #NA pic.twitter.com/oCoOy6vNXZ
— Tariq Malik ™ (@ReplyTariq) November 28, 2020
Cyber Harassment Helpline October Statistics
Cyber Harassment Helpline received 235 complaints in the month of October. It shows the trend of online violence especially blackmailing through non consensual use of information and images has sustained. 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. Majority of the complainants were females (68%) belonging to Punjab (Lahore) and other cities without the FIA cybercrime office.
Media Coverage
Wired Article
In an article for ‘Wired UK’, Nighat Dad discusses the state of Internet Freedom in 2020 and beyond, stating that “In 2021 we will have to acknowledge that the internet is not the free space it was originally envisaged to be”.
https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/1324316901607153664?s=20
New Cyber Laws in Pakistan- What’s the buzz with Kiran Butt’ on Capital TV
In an exclusive interview with Capital TV, on “What’s the Buzz” with Kiran Butt, Nighat Dad discusses the impact of the new online harm rules and social media regulations on content creators, journalists and influencers.
Exclusive interview of human rights award winner & founder of Digital Rights Foundation, Nighat Dad | New Cyber Laws in Pakistan | What's the Buzz With Kiran Butt
👉 Link: https://t.co/AzSPRUC74O #CapitalTV #WhatsTheBuzz #Pakistan #CyberLaws #DigitalLaws @qiranbutt @nighatdad pic.twitter.com/u7P37gLXIN
— Capital TV (@CapitalTVLive) November 25, 2020
IFEX Article
In an article for IFEX, Nighat Dad discusses the origins of the Digital Rights Foundation, and her pursuit in establishing safer online spaces for women.
Driven by the extensive online harassment suffered by women in #Pakistan, lawyer @NighatDad set up @DigitalRightsPK in 2012. Overcoming her own early struggles to get online, she’s since played a critical role in establishing safer online spaces for women. https://t.co/x7kp3Uku1p
— IFEX (@IFEX) November 9, 2020
Events and Sessions
UNESCO event on End Impunity Against Journalists in Islamabad
In a collaborative event for UNESCO Islamabad and the Swedish Embassy in Pakistan, marking the ‘End Impunity Day’ for Crimes and Journalists, Nighat Dad advocated for the protection of the Freedom of Speech and Media Freedom for journalists, in both online and offline spaces.
Marking the #EndImpunityDay for #CrimesagainstJournalists!
Threats to a free media, are a threat to democracy. That's why Press freedom is a priority of 🇸🇪 foreign policy.
All journalists' right to Free Speech and Media Freedom must be protected online, just as much as offline. pic.twitter.com/COXu87Sthr
— Sweden in Pakistan (@SwedeninPK) November 2, 2020
#IDEI2020 #EndImpunity #JournoSafe Thanks to our wonderful speakers, partners & participants for a stimulating conversation on gender based attacks against journalists @SwedeninPK @NLAmbPlomp @CanHCPakistan @gilmour_wendy @EUPakistan @nighatdad @TenzilaMazhar @guyberger pic.twitter.com/6owJvmg8UW
— UNESCO Pakistan (@UnescoPakistan) November 3, 2020
Changing the Face of Politics Podcast
In an interview with Mimoza Kusari-Lila, member of the Kosovo Parliament, for the ‘Changing the Face of Politics Podcast, Nighat Dad discusses the parliamentarian’s journey to political office, and the obstacles she faced on her journey.
🚨 NEW! #podcast episode.
Listen to @nighatdad interview #Kosovo parliamentarian @mimozakusari about the obstacles she faced during her political leadership journey in the 4️⃣ episode of the #ChangingTheFaceOfPolitics podcast series.
🎧👇 #PoliticalWomen♀https://t.co/OSCmDKYw1z— National Democratic Institute (@NDI) November 12, 2020
Digital Rights Popup Forum
An estimated billion users are coming online for the first time. Yet little is understood about this market, which faces acute privacy, security and access challenges that threaten their ability to equitably connect. In a panel discussion for Internetdagarna Digital Rights Popup Forum, Nighat Dad discusses the “State of Internet Freedom Around the World: Protecting the Next Billion and the Global Soul”.
https://internetdagarna.se/program/digital-rights-popup-forum/
So excited to moderate a panel with badass folks and activists, talking about digital rights and the state of internet freedom around the world. Shoutout to @nighatdad @soledad_magnone @xeenarh @InternetFF
Happening in 20min!https://t.co/WgxmWrLMqN
#ind20— Sarah A | ساره (@sa0un) November 23, 2020
Launch webinar: “Feminist Movements Go Online: Imagining Feminist Futures Online”
DRF conducted a live webinar with some of the contributors of its ezine, Ajwah Nadeem, Sarah Shamim and Umaima Ahmed on Facebook that can be accessed here.
In a panel discussion for Hafiza Merkesi (the Truth Justice Memory Center), Nighat Dad discussed internet freedom and the incidence of cyber harassment against women in online spaces.
https://twitter.com/turkey_tribunal/status/1323946589489160192?s=20
Panel konuşmacılarından @nighatdad @DigitalRightsPK'ın direktörü ve dünyada açık internet erişimi savunuculuğunun öncülerinden. Nighat #Pakistan'da internet özgürlüğünü ve kadınlara yönelik siber taciz vakalarını anlatacak.
📌 Detaylar ve kayıt: https://t.co/bgHxdvLqsp pic.twitter.com/HvcrGNXuDt
— Hafıza Merkezi (@hakikatadalet) November 4, 2020
Broken Rules? Pakistan’s Online Regulations
In a policy roundtable for Tabadlab, Nighat Dad discusses the state of Pakistan’s online regulations and its potential policy implications.
our next policy roundtable!
Broken Rules?
Pakistan’s Online Regulations
featuring @nighatdad @WahajSiraj1 @UsamaKhilji @taimur_malik @mosharrafzaidi
hosted by @AmberRShamsi
1500 hrs/ 3 pm Pakistan time https://t.co/j6j1jxDwBA pic.twitter.com/fz3JcHMs71
— tabadlab (@tabadlab) November 21, 2020
Rapid Fire Chat Series
Rapid Fire on it’s an infodemic
Arslan Ather along with Laiba and Manal Khan, we discussed the prevalence of misinformation during the pandemic and otherwise too. Our panelists gave great and witty answers to our rapid-fire questions, while also giving us some important insight into how journalists have been working with this ‘infodemic’.
Rapid Fire Chat on #InternationalMensDay
DRF conducted its series of Rapid Fire Chats with digital rights activist Hija Kamran and journalist Fatima Razzaq to talk about masculinity in the digital spaces. The chat can be accessed here.
Gender-based harassment of women journalists
DRF conducted another one of its Rapid Fire Chats on the 25th of November this year and in honouring the day, which is observed as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, conducted a chat on the same theme with our participants. We were joined by two women who have done commendable work in the field of journalism: Amber Shamsi and Ramsha Jahangir.
The conversation revolved around cyber harassment, it’s impact and how these spaces can be navigated and also made safer, especially for women who use them as platforms for their work. The conversation is available on DRF’s Facebook page where it was cast live on the date mentioned above..
Achieving Cyberpeace: A Collective Effort in Cyberspace and Beyond | November 30
DRF took part in a panel hosted by the Cyberpeace Institute for its first annual meeting. The panel titled “Achieving CyberPeace: a Collective Effort in Cyberspace and Beyond” will discuss ideas and initiatives to achieve peace in the digital world. The panel was also attended by Sheetal Kumar from Global Partners Digital, Nicola Staub from Cybera Global, and Kanwaljit Singh from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Find more details here.
Digital Literacy Drive session
DRF conducted its third Digital Literacy Drive session with the students of the Forman Christian College (FCC), Lahore. The session was held on Wednesday the 25th of November, 2020 and was organized with the kind help of Ms. Mehwish Batool.
The topics touched upon included the concept of privacy, the legal state of the right to privacy as well as cyber harassment, gender and privacy. The session was concluded with a section on online safety conducted by our trainers.
Meeting with Canadian High Commissioner
Panel on How do we make our parents understand the internet? How do we reach out to them when we need help?
DRF with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation held a Facebook live session with our 4 youth ambassadors on ‘How do we make our parents understand the internet? How do we reach out to them when we need help’. The session focused on the need to talk to parents more and also make them understand the importance of the internet.
Data Localisation: All you need to know
DRF organized a session on the topic of data localisation in the month of November, given the recent developments in e-governance rules and laws in Pakistan and the overall status quo we felt it was the need of the hour. The excellent panelists who joined us for this session included Shmyla Khan and Arslan Athar of DRF and Alexandrine Corbion from Privacy International. The conversation revolved around the examination of what data localisation is, what it’s impact has been so far in the countries where it is practiced and what we can expect from it’s implementation in Pakistan. The session is available to be viewed on DRF’s Facebook page where it’s as cast live.
Digital Rights and Laws in Pakistan
This workshop was conducted by our Director of Legal Affairs and covered the legal landscape in Pakistan in terms of digital rights pertaining to freedom of expression, right to information and right to privacy in online spaces. Furthermore, the workshop also focused on the laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 in Pakistan and how they impact digital freedoms.
Two Day Residency Training with HRDs and Journalists
DRF held a two day residency training with HRDs and journalists on online safety and digital rights laws in the country. The training was particularly designed keeping in mind the needs of the participants in the training.
Impact Talk Digital Security, Privacy Rights and Fake News Pakistan Perspective
DRF participated in the #ImpactTalk titled ‘Digital Security, Privacy Rights and Fake News’ and DRF’s team participated in it on 13th November. The talk was organized by Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
Catch us live now with @FNFPakistan #ImpactTalk on 'Digital Security, Privacy Rights and Fake News in COVID19'
You can access the #ImpactTalk here:https://t.co/pZirVMrkGA
— Digital Rights Foundation (@DigitalRightsPK) November 13, 2020
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 at 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.
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
