As the right to protest becomes increasingly under threat, online civic space plays an increasingly larger role in how activists spread their message. But that also makes them easier targets for dodgy politicians, powerful business people and extremist political groups who want to silence their opponents.
For an activist working in the public eye in 2023, an inbox filled with hate speech, bogus lawsuits, and having your phone number or address posted online have become hazards of the job.
Communicating to the public why a cause matters and how it impacts their lives has also become more challenging, as campaign messages risk being buried under an avalanche of disinformation. This can significantly undermine activists‘ efforts to get the people on their side and generate real social change. We also can’t lose sight of the role Tech Giants have played in all of this, whose profit-driven algorithms amplify hate speech and fan the flames of disinformation.
But all of this promises to change with the Digital Services Act, which introduces binding and uniform rules across the European Union to make the internet safer. In Liberties‘ upcoming online civic space report, we reflect on the dangerous realities of being an activist in the digital era, and ask – will the DSA protect activists?
- Title: Online Activism: Danger, Disinformation & the DSA
- NEW NEW Location: Liberties & SNV HQ, Ebertstrasse 2. 4th floor, 10117 Berlin
- Time/Date: 18.00 – 20.00, Thursday 21st September
We’re delighted to announce that DSA guru Dr. Julian Jaursch, Project Director Policy/Platform Regulation of Stiftung Neue Verantwortung (incidentally, also our new neighbour) will be joining us as our special guest.
