03 Feb 2020 The double-edged sword of digital technology
Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, has published its Front Line Defenders Global Analysis 2019. It details the physical assaults, defamation campaigns, digital security threats, judicial harassment, and gender-based attacks faced by human rights defenders around the world.
20 Jan 2020 Media coverage should give peace a chance
Growing tensions between the United States and Iran marked the first two weeks of 2020. News cycles have been dominated by coverage of the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, the killing of a high-profile Iranian general, Iranian attacks on US military bases, and the horrific downing of a passenger airplane in Tehran, sparking fears that the conflict could ignite another full-out war in the Middle East. The situation has also affected Iranian Americans, many of whom have reported being questioned about their political views when entering or leaving the United States.
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...
10 Dec 2019 Human rights day: WACC puts spotlight on violence against journalists
On International Human Rights Day, December 10, WACC Global calls attention to the horrendous violence and abuse against journalists. “Investigative journalism is the backbone of a well-functioning democracy,” said Philip Lee, WACC General Secretary. “When the integrity and lives of journalists are threatened, civil society suffers.” About 500...
01 Nov 2019 No impunity for those who use violence against journalists, says WACC
Journalists who challenge corruption and the abuse of power deserve special government protection, WACC General Secretary Philip Lee said on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Saturday, November 2. “There should be no impunity for those who use violence...
01 Nov 2019 WACC joins Just Net Coalition
WACC Global is now a member of the Just Net Coalition (JNC), a global network of civil society organizations and individuals advocating for “an open, free, just and equitable Internet.” The JNC focuses on Internet and governance in order to promote democracy, human rights and social justice. It...
30 Oct 2019 WACC supports efforts to address violence against women journalists
With growing incidences of cyber violence and harassment against women and girls, including female journalists, WACC Global maintains its support for efforts that push for policies to address them and to raise awareness that they are overt expressions of gender discrimination and inequality. Nearly two-thirds of...
25 Oct 2019 WACC, other NGOs urge UN to address issues around women, peace and security
WACC Global has joined more than 400 civil society organizations from 94 countries in signing an open letter urging all UN member states to give their full support to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda by prioritizing five key issues, including gender equality. “As non-governmental organizations dedicated...