Networking for Information Integrity in Asia and Globally | IGF 2023 Networking Session #172

Knowledge Graph of Debate

Session report

Daniel Arnaudo

The first speaker discussed the InfoTegrity Network, whose objective is to organise resources for a democratic information space. InfoTegrity involves the collaboration of technical, policy, and civic organisations, with the goal of countering harmful content and promoting reliable information. The speaker emphasised that accurate and impartial electoral and political information is crucial for the functioning of effective democracies. The argument presented was that the InfoTegrity Network plays a vital role in ensuring citizens have access to trustworthy information, which is essential for making informed decisions during electoral processes. This promotes democratic participation and strengthens the integrity of democratic systems. By bringing together various stakeholders and combining their expertise, the InfoTegrity Network aims to address the challenges associated with misinformation and provide credible sources of information.

Moving on, the second speaker supported increased openness and acceptance in the internet space. They highlighted the need for assertive policies to protect marginalised groups, specifically women who are often targeted online. The argument made was that a more inclusive and accountable internet governance framework is essential for reducing inequalities and promoting gender equality. The speaker emphasised the importance of democratizing internet governance to ensure that policy decisions are made in a transparent and participatory manner. This would help establish policies that foster responsible behaviour online and protect the rights of individuals, especially those who are traditionally marginalised.

From the analysis of both speakers, it is evident that there is a shared focus on promoting democratic values and addressing challenges in the digital space. The InfoTegrity Network, as presented by the first speaker, aims to facilitate the dissemination of accurate and reliable information to support democratic processes. The second speaker’s endorsement of increased openness and acceptance in the internet space underscores the importance of developing policies that protect marginalised groups and ensure equal access to the opportunities provided by the digital world.

In conclusion, both speakers highlight the significance of information integrity and responsible internet governance in the context of democratic societies. Their arguments support the need for collaborative efforts across various sectors to build a democratic information space that is inclusive, transparent, and accountable. These insights shed light on the key considerations required to foster a digital environment that upholds democratic values and promotes equality.

Hyra Basit

The Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) is playing a crucial role in Pakistan by combating cyber harassment and disinformation. These disinformation campaigns have had a significant impact on the country, leading to social unrest and influencing legal changes. DRF recognizes the need to bridge the gap between the global north and south within online spaces to ensure equal rights and protection for all individuals.

To achieve its goals, DRF offers a wide range of services. They provide digital security assistance, legal support, and mental health services to those affected by cyber harassment and disinformation. Moreover, DRF conducts training programmes for journalists at all levels, equipping them with essential skills in digital security, media ethics, and fact-checking. Through these initiatives, DRF aims to enhance the capacity of journalists to navigate the challenges of online spaces responsibly.

DRF acknowledges the challenges they face in getting social media companies to prioritize issues in smaller countries like Pakistan. In this regard, Hyra, a prominent figure, criticizes social media companies, including Meta, for their inadequate attention toward these concerns. However, DRF has not shied away from pushing these companies by presenting consistent evidence and highlighting the offline consequences resulting from disinformation campaigns. Their efforts have compelled social media platforms to address these issues seriously.

The level of engagement with tech platforms varies, with mixed degrees of success. DRF has established channels of communication with platforms, but their effectiveness highly depends on personal connections and the willingness of individual employees to collaborate with organizations like DRF. The analysis highlights the existing loopholes in the current engagement mechanisms, emphasizing the need to fill these gaps for more effective collaboration between tech platforms and organizations working to combat cyber harassment and disinformation.

Notably, popular platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and LINE play a significant role in disseminating information in Pakistan. During important events such as elections, these platforms are widely used, potentially amplifying the impact of disinformation campaigns. Recognizing this trend, it becomes crucial to monitor and regulate the information shared on these platforms to ensure accuracy and prevent the spread of false information that may contribute to social unrest or manipulation of legal processes.

In conclusion, the Digital Rights Foundation is at the forefront of combating cyber harassment and disinformation in Pakistan. Through their comprehensive approach, including digital security services, legal support, mental health services, and journalist training, they strive to create a safer online environment. However, challenges remain in gaining adequate attention from social media companies and improving engagement mechanisms with tech platforms. The analysis reinforces the importance of regulatory efforts to monitor the dissemination of information on popular platforms during crucial events.

Ketty Chen

Taiwan faces significant difficulties in participating in international forums due to a lack of recognition. There is no option for Taiwan in the dropdown list of countries in the UN system, and Taiwanese citizens encounter challenges when attempting to register their institutions from Taiwan. These limitations prevent Taiwan from fully engaging in international discussions and hinder its ability to contribute to global initiatives.

However, Taiwanese civil society organizations are proactive in countering information warfare and disinformation campaigns, particularly from China. They have developed effective strategies, such as publishing reports to expose disinformation and creating civic tech groups to enhance communication between citizens and the government. These efforts strengthen Taiwan’s ability to counter false narratives and safeguard its democracy.

Taiwanese civil society organizations are also eager to share their strategies with international partners. Their willingness to foster collaboration and share best practices demonstrates their commitment to combating disinformation and promoting strong democratic institutions not only within Taiwan but around the world.

Taiwan has been persistently targeted by disinformation and information warfare campaigns, primarily originating from a foreign country. Nevertheless, Taiwanese civil society has responded by developing robust strategies and plans to protect its democracy. This highlights the importance of citizen-driven initiatives in safeguarding democratic values against the threat of disinformation and manipulation.

Engaging in civil society organizations within closed societies presents unique challenges, but it is more feasible at the regional level. This approach recognizes the importance of establishing connections and building relationships within a specific geographic area to promote civil society values.

Cybersecurity is crucial for civil society groups operating in closed societies, and Taiwanese organizations understand the significance of improving their cybersecurity measures. Adequate cybersecurity measures protect the integrity of their work and the privacy and safety of their members.

Overall, Taiwan’s struggle for recognition on the international stage hinders its participation in global forums. However, Taiwanese civil society organizations demonstrate resilience and a proactive approach in countering disinformation and safeguarding democratic values. Their willingness to share their experiences and expertise with international partners fosters collaboration and emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity in protecting civil society in closed societies.

Isabel Hou

GovZero is a decentralised civic tech community focused on promoting transparency of information and innovative strategies for citizen engagement in public affairs. With over 13,000 participants globally, the community has made significant strides in its mission. It has hosted 58 hackathons, resulting in nearly 1,000 proposals that offer creative solutions to societal challenges.

One of GovZero’s core arguments is the importance of transparency. By advocating for open and accessible information, the community aims to empower citizens and promote accountability in public affairs. This argument is supported by the development of projects such as News Helper, Cofact, and Zero Archive, which combat disinformation and ensure information integrity. These initiatives play a vital role in countering false information and manipulative tactics in public discourse.

Additionally, GovZero places a strong emphasis on collaboration and inclusivity. The community consists of members from diverse backgrounds, including computing, law, media, arts, and politics. By leveraging the collective expertise and perspectives of these individuals, GovZero fosters collaborative problem-solving and encourages innovative approaches to addressing societal issues. The platform serves as a space for professionals from various fields, such as engineers, designers, lawyers, and journalists, to contribute to meaningful change.

Furthermore, GovZero adopts an open-source model to promote collaboration and the sharing of ideas and resources. By harnessing collective intelligence, the community strives to find effective solutions for complex challenges. Its commitment to inclusivity is evident in its multi-disciplinary approach, as members from different fields work together in teams to develop innovative strategies.

In terms of data protection and access, GovZero recognises the importance of safeguarding data from unauthorised access and ensuring its integrity. While no specific supporting facts are mentioned, the text implies attention being given to platforms such as TikTok and Doin, which are praised for their strong mechanisms in preventing crawler access to their data.

Furthermore, GovZero acknowledges the value of information monitoring and data sharing. Strategies mentioned include pay-to-gather information, social engineering, building custom systems, and sharing datasets with other researchers. This highlights the community’s commitment to providing resources, including datasets and experiences, to enhance information monitoring and problem-solving.

In conclusion, GovZero is a dynamic and inclusive civic tech community that advocates for transparency of information and promotes innovative strategies for citizen engagement in public affairs. Through its open-source model, collaborative problem-solving, and multi-stakeholder engagement, GovZero strives to effectively address societal issues. Its projects, such as News Helper, Cofact, and Zero Archive, demonstrate a commitment to combating disinformation and ensuring information integrity. Additionally, GovZero recognises the importance of data protection and data access in the digital era, as well as the significance of information monitoring and sharing for advancing knowledge and problem-solving capabilities.

Speakers