Digital Rights Foundation and the World Economic Forum in collaboration with institutional partners hosted a first of its kind event in Kathmandu from February 19-21, 2020. This event brought together participants from across South Asia and the rest of the world to discuss the implications of digital and emerging technologies for organizations promoting advocacy and mobilizing people-powered action in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

DRF Collaborated with PJA on hosting a session addressing online gender based violence with Punjab Judicial Academy (PJA) in a conference on Cyber Law

DRF took part in the Punjab Judicial Academy (PJA) titled “Cyber Law” and hostes a panel titled “Digital violence against gender-based marginalised communities” in collaboration with PJA. The conference was attended by the Lahore High Court Chief Justice, Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Gulzar Ahmed. The conference was attended by nearly 300 judges and included both local and international experts.

DRF Executive Director, Nighat Dad spoke at the conference on ‘Social Media And Ways To Promote Freedoms And Protect Activists’

https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/19/02/2020/Call-for-enhanced-coordination-between-CSOs-to-protect-digital-rights

At a talk titled ‘Identification of future activities to broaden civic spaces on social media’, Nighat Dad talked about how there is a need to bring together CSOs from across South Asia and have them work together. She said that South Asia is faced with many issues of digital rights, and working together can help bride those gaps.

DRF wins the 6th eNGO Challenge Award 2019-2020.

DRF won under the category of the best Civil Society Digital Innovator. The 6th eNGO Challenge Awards was organized by the Digital Empowerment Foundation in New Delhi, India.

DRF at FNF’s panel discussion on fake news

Digital Rights Foundation participated in a panel discussion hosted by Friedrich Nauman Foundation on the launch of the urdu version of their book, “What can be done to counter Fake News?". The panel discussion was held on 22 February 2020 at PNCA during the Mother Language Literature Festival and had Maryam Saeed from DRF, Asad Baig from Media Matters for Democracy and Gulmina Bilal from Individual Land. It was attended by I.A. Rehman, Afrasiab Khattak and Fauzia Saeed among many other activists from the civil society organisations.

DRF at Human Rights Situation in Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities

Digital Rights Foundation attended a seminar on the current human rights situation in the country on 13th February organized by EU. The seminar had UN Special Rapporteur Michel Frost as the chief guest of the event. DRF also took part in NHRF Grantee workshop on 14th to 15th February in Islamabad. The workshop focused on learning and sharing of NHRF partners in the country.

Cyberbullying session in Beaconhouse Bahria Town Campus

Digital Rights Foundation conducted a seminar with students of Bahria Town O-levels around cyber bullying and harassment. Two sessions were conducted with the students on 26th February one with boys and the other with girls. The session focused on why it is important for children to keep their information personal online and the implications of cyber bullying on children.

DRF at ‘Maati Talks’ discussing Web and OTT Rules by PEMRA

Zainab Durrani represented the DRF team on a panel discussion for the web show ‘Maati Talks’ which was focused on discussing the proposed Web and OTT Rules by PEMRA and the implications of enacting said Rules on web content, content creators and the impact on the legal landscape that has the ability to curtail fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and right to information.

Training on Combating Insecurities in the Age of Digital Media Transformations

DRF organized a workshop for journalists on ‘’Combating Insecurity in the Age of Digital Media Transformations’’ in Peshawar on the  26^th and 27^th of February 2020. The aim of the workshop was to discuss if the existing media ethics are suitable for the evolving digital media landscape or new and diverse standards are required. Around 25 journalists from print, electronic and digital media joined and actively participated in the two-day workshop. Participants gave their input on how to tackle fake news and disinformation online, considering the low levels of digital literacy among the population in Pakistan which makes it vulnerable to all kinds of online and digital propaganda, and also discussed ways forward in developing the media industry.

Statement: DRF Condemns Citizen’s Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020 as an Affront on Online Freedoms

DRF Condemns Citizen’s Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020 as an Affront on Online Freedoms

Digital Rights Foundation released a statement condemning the recent ‘Citizen Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020 which were notified by the Ministry of Information Technology. Click here to read the full statement.