The internet played a pivotal role during the Arab Spring protests. But a decade on, from the troll armies attacking human rights activists online, to the criminalization of speech, the state of internet freedom in many Arab countries has deteriorated.
With the 10th edition of RightsCon, the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age, set to take place June 7 — 11, 2021, Access Now is looking back on milestones from the past decade of the digital age, and reflecting on ways the internet can be reclaimed as an open and free space.
Join us for a virtual conversation to explore the evolution of the digital space from a tool of mobilization to one of repression. Journalists and members of the media are invited to actively participate, and use this unique opportunity to ask the pressing questions live through the YouTube chat.
Arab Spring: Ten years in, how can we reclaim the internet as an open space?
When: Wednesday, February 17, 15:30 — 17:00 CET
Where: Access Now YouTube
Speakers include:
- Libya Idris, Editor-in-Chief at BBC Media Action
- Dia Kayyali, Associate Director of Advocacy at Mnemonic
- Mohamad Najem, Executive Director of SMEX
- Fouad Abdelmoumni, Moroccan human rights activist
- Maryam Al-Khawaja, Bahraini human rights defender
- Natalia Krapiva, Tech Legal Counsel at Access Now
And others.
No need to RSVP, just join us via YouTube at the time of the event. If you are unable to join live, you can reach out to [email protected] with requests for comment or to schedule an interview.