Understanding Digital Rights in An Era of Digital Politics in Africa
Main Article Content
Keywords
Digital Technology, COVID-19, Digital Rights, Digital Politics, Africa
Abstract
As more African countries connect their citizens to the Internet and other digital technologies in a bid to improve services, questions are being asked about the protection of human rights for nationals online. The wake of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many countries on the continent to search for alternative ways to provide services. Varying national shutdowns also impacted democratic processes like elections and accompanying actions such as voter registration and campaigning. This paper aims to assess the trends and challenges around the implementation of digital rights and propose the way forward for scholars and practitioners promoting digital rights. Data was collected using desktop research to identify and assess common themes and differences across the continent. The results show that as technologies continue evolving at a fast pace, it is fundamental for African governments to reassess and adapt their laws to maintain and protect the rights of their citizens online.
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References
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Pangrazio, L. and Sefton-Green, J. (2021). Digital rights, digital citizenship, and digital literacy: What’s the difference? Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 10(1), 15-27. https://doi.org/10.7821/naer.2021.1.616
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Schimmel, N. (2023). Commentary – The state of human rights in South Africa approaching 30 years of post-apartheid democracy: Successes, failures, and prospects. World Affairs, 186(4), 1019-1025. https://doi.org/10.1177/00438200231187411.
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Tshuma, D. and Zvaita, G.T. (2019). Political fatalism and youth apathy in South Africa: An analysis of the 2019 general elections. Retrieved from https://www.accord.org.za/conflicttrends/political-fatalism-and-youth-apathy-in-south-africa/ (Accessed 22 November 2023).
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Amnesty International (2023). Human rights in South Africa Amnesty International. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/southern-africa/south-africa/report-south-africa/ (Accessed 4 June 2024).
Anthonio, F. (2022). The kill switch: How Internet shutdowns threaten fundamental human rights in Africa and beyond, Digital future whitepaper series, Information society project: Yale Law School.
Bussiek, A. (2022). Digital rights are human rights: An introduction to the state of affairs and
challenges in Africa, Digital rights, and access to information series.
Campbell, J. and Quinn, N. (2021). What’s happening to democracy in Africa? Retrieved from https://www.cfr.org/article/whats-happening-democracy-africa (Accessed 22 November 2023).
Centre for Human Rights. (2022). The digital rights landscape in Southern Africa. University of Pretoria.
CIPESA. (2019). Digital rights in Africa: Challenges and policy opinions. Retrieved from https://cipesa.org/wp-content/files/reports/Digital-Rights-in-Africa-Challenges-and-Policy-Options-April.pdf (Accessed 24 November 2023).
Clarke, M. (2012). The digital revolution. Academic and Professional Publishing. 79-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-84334-669-2.50004-4
Coetzee, T. Governance Practices in Africa. Contemporary Journal of African Studies Vol. 4. No. 2 (2017) 155-177. https://doi.org/10.4314/contjas.v4i2.6
Cole, A. (2008). Governing and governance in France. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511756139
Digital Rights Landscape in SADC. (2022). The digital rights landscape in Southern Africa. Retrieved from https://www.chr.up.ac.za/images/researchunits/dgdr/documents/reports/Digital_Rights_Landscape_in_SADC_Report.pdf (Accessed 24 November 2023).
Economist Intelligence Unit. Democracy Index. (2022). Frontline democracy and the battle for Ukraine. EIU Report.
Fombad, C. M. (2021). An overview of the state of electoral democracy in Africa. African Journal of Legal Studies, 14(2), 245-268. https://doi.org/10.1163/17087384-12340087.
Fourie, D. J. and Schoeman, L (2010). Local government and sustainable post settlement support for restitution: in search of efficient governance objectives in public administration. Journal of Public Administration, 45(1.1):145-161.
Goggin, G., Vromen, A., Weatherall, K., Martin, F., Webb, A., Sunman, L., and Bailo, F. (2017). Digital rights in Australia. The University of Sidney. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2123/ 17587.
Goyayi, M. (2021). The role of voting technology in enhancing democracy in South Africa. Retrieved from https://ddp.org.za/blog/2021/07/09/the-role-of-voting-technology-in-enhancing-democracy-in-south-africa/ (Accessed 29 November 2023).
Gibson, E. (2022). Africa: Digital human rights need to be enshrined in law. Retrieved from https://allafrica.com/stories/202211290009.html (Accessed 24 November 2023).
Human Rights Watch. (2022). World report: Our annual review of human rights around the globe. https://doi.org/10.46692/9781447318491
Institute for Security Studies. (2021). Poor governance hampers progress. Retrieved from https://issafrica.org/pscreport/psc-insights/poor-governance-in-africa-hampers-progress (Accessed 24 November 2023).
Internet Inclusive Index. (2022). What does the digital divide look like in 2022? Retrieved from https://impact.economist.com/projects/inclusive-internet-index/downloads/3i-executive-summary.pdf (Accessed 5 June 2024).
Johnston, K., Kervin, L. and Wyeth, P. (2022). Defining digital technology. Retrieved from https://www.digitalchild.org.au/blog/defining-digital-technology/ (Accessed 15 November 2023).
Laverty, A. (2012). ICT, social media, and election in Africa: A prospective study. Retrieved from http://theafricanfile.com/ict/ict-social-media-and-elections-in-africa-a-prospective-study/ (Accessed 15 November 2023).
Londa (2022). Digital rights and inclusion in Africa report. Paradigm Initiative.
Lues, L. (2014). Citizen Participation as a contributor to sustainable democracy in South Africa. International Review of Administrative Sciences. 80(4), pp789–807. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020852314533450
Mare, A. (2023) Digital spaces, rights, and responsibilities: Towards a duty of care model in Southern Africa, Digital Rights and Access to Information Series, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
Maseko, M. (2024). Digital transformation in Africa: Is democracy under threat? https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0477-8.ch019. In book: Democratization of Africa and Its Impact on the Global Economy (pp.333-354).
Masiko-Kambala P., Görgens T., and van Donk M. (2012). Advancing ‘networked spaces’: making a case for communities of practice to deepen public participation. In GGLN (Good Governance Learning Network) Putting Participation at the Heart of Development//Putting Development at the Heart of Participation. Cape Town: GGLN and Isandla Institute.
Mathiesen, K. (2014). Human rights for the digital age. Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 29(1), 2–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/08900523.2014.863124.
Manchester Metropolitan University. n.d. What is digital politics? Retrieved from https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/digital-politics/0/steps/297677 (Accessed 23 November 2023).
Media Defence. (2020). Introduction to digital rights. Retrieved from https://www.mediadefence.org/ereader/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/12/Module-2-Introduction-to-digital-rights-1.pdf (Accessed 4 June 2024).
Munshi, S., Abraham, B. P., and Chaudhuri. S. (2009). The intelligent person’s guide to good governance. New Delhi: Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9788132101451
Mutsvairo, B. and Ragnedda, M. (2019). Comprehending the digital disparities in Africa. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvh4zj72
Pangrazio, L. and Sefton-Green, J. (2021). Digital rights, digital citizenship, and digital literacy: What’s the difference? Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 10(1), 15-27. https://doi.org/10.7821/naer.2021.1.616
Paradigm Initiative. (2021). South Africa digital rights & inclusion 2020 Report.cdr. Retrieved from https://paradigmhq.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/lr-South-Africa-Digital-Rights-Inclusion-2020-Report.pdf (Accessed 4 June 2024).
POPIA. (2024). Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act) – POPIA. Retrieved from https://popia.co.za/ (Accessed 5 June 2024).
Research ICT Africa. (2020). Despite reduction in mobile data tariffs, data still expensive in South Africa. Retrieved from https://researchictafrica.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Tapiwa-Chinembiri-Mobile-Data-Pricing-Policy-Brief2-2020-FINAL.pdf (Accessed 5 June 2023).
Reventlow, N. (2017). Digital rights are human rights. Retrieved from https://digitalfreedomfund.org/digital-rights-are-human-rights/ (Accessed 4 June 2024).
Schimmel, N. (2023). Commentary – The state of human rights in South Africa approaching 30 years of post-apartheid democracy: Successes, failures, and prospects. World Affairs, 186(4), 1019-1025. https://doi.org/10.1177/00438200231187411.
Sibe, R. (2022). Africa’s chaotic legal and regulatory cybersecurity landscape requires harmonization, Forbes Technology Council. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/08/02/africas-chaotic-legal-and-regulatory-cybersecurity-landscape-requires-harmonization/?sh=5be40c7a1a9a (Accessed 24 November 2023).
Sibidla, T. (2021). Data protection and privacy regulation: A roundup of developments in Africa in 2021. Retrieved from https://www.werksmans.com/legal-updates-and-opinions/data-protection-and-privacy-regulation-a-roundup-of-developments-in-africa-in-2021/ (Accessed 24 November 2023).
South African Human Rights Commission. (2021). Annual trends analysis report 2020-2021.
Statista. (2024). Digital population in South Africa as of January 2024(in millions). Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/685134/south-africa-digital-population/ (Accessed 5 June 2024).
Taylor, I. (2018). Democracy in Africa, African Politics: A very short introduction, Very short introductions. https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780198806578.001.0001
Tshuma, D. and Zvaita, G.T. (2019). Political fatalism and youth apathy in South Africa: An analysis of the 2019 general elections. Retrieved from https://www.accord.org.za/conflicttrends/political-fatalism-and-youth-apathy-in-south-africa/ (Accessed 22 November 2023).
World Report. (2023). South Africa Events of 2022, Human Rights Watch. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/south-africa (Accessed 4 June 2024).
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Understanding Digital Rights in An Era of Digital Politics in Africa. (2024). Digital Policy Studies, 3(1), 58-72. https://doi.org/10.36615/ba9c4567
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Understanding Digital Rights in An Era of Digital Politics in Africa. (2024). Digital Policy Studies, 3(1), 58-72. https://doi.org/10.36615/ba9c4567