27 Jan 2020 Nepal faces new threat to freedom of expression
One of the main sites of struggle for global civil society in 2020 will be digital platforms and social media. The authorities in several countries are finding ways to restrict and suppress democratic debate with legislation that casts a wide net around what is considered offensive or derogatory.
22 Jan 2020 Becoming familiar with SDGs and climate change in Kwéyòl
About 75 Kwéyòl-speaking Saint Lucians have now increased their knowledge of the language of climate change and sustainable development in Kwéyòl, thanks to a WACC-supported project developed by the Folk Research Centre (FRC). FRC is a local NGO devoted to the research, study, recording and...
13 Jan 2020 Demanding accountability from democratic structures
It would be wonderful to begin 2020 with an upbeat account of communication rights being strengthened and protected around the world. There are undoubtedly many instances of positive and exciting changes taking place. Unfortunately, the overall picture is dispiriting. Studies show that organisations like WACC, which advocate for and defend people’s right to communicate, still have much to do.
19 Dec 2019 WACC, CAMECO share vision of ’empowering people and communities on the margins’
WACC Deputy General Secretary Sara Speicher recently presented a workshop on “Upholding Human Rights and Social Justice in the Digital Age” during the 50th anniversary international conference of the Catholic Media Council (CAMECO) held in Aachen, Germany. The conference, Communicating From and With the Margins, was held November...
09 Dec 2019 Project addresses ‘xenophobic discourse’ in Dominican Republic media, digital platforms
In response to rising xenophobia and racism in the Dominican Republic, WACC partner Espacio de Comunicación Insular has launched an awareness raising campaign on the issue and is developing a guide for ethical and inclusive journalism. “In recent years, and especially since the 2015 court ruling that undermined...
19 Nov 2019 Giving voice to Georgia’s Generation Z
One hundred students from four public and one private school in Georgia are now providing weekly broadcast and blogs on issues that matter to them, including human rights, gender equality and bullying, thanks to a WACC-supported project. WACC partner Helping Hand, a women-run civil society organisation...
26 Sep 2019 WACC president urges board, members to ‘get into the trenches again’
President Embert Charles has urged WACC’s new Board of Directors to roll up their sleeves to “reenergise our global movement, regroup and give a stronger voice to the regions.”...
17 Sep 2019 WACC publishes No-Nonsense Guide to Communication Rights and the Internet
Over half of the world’s population of 7.7 billion are connected to the Internet, which has profoundly changed the way people live, work and communicate....
16 Sep 2019 When fact-checking isn’t about ‘right’ or ‘wrong’
The rise of “fake news” charges and deliberate disinformation have led to an important counter effort: fact-checking. News agencies, civil society organisations, and concerned individuals have taken on the fight for “truth” – assessing political claims and struggling to prevent misinformation guiding our decisions and...