New report examines state of Internet freedom in Africa --[Reported by Umva mag]

The “Freedom on the Net 2024” report analyzes the state of Internet freedom in Africa, highlighting progress in countries like Zambia, while others like Zimbabwe and Rwanda tighten censorship and digital manipulation.

What is the state of Internet freedom in Africa? The Freedom on the Net 2024 report provides an overview of Internet freedom, with in-depth analysis of the situation in Africa. Some countries are making remarkable progress, while others are moving toward increased censorship, especially during election periods.

In Zambia, for example, significant progress has been made. The government has fostered an environment conducive to online activism, allowing citizens to freely engage in political and social debate.

According to the 2024 report, this development has been a vehicle for strengthening trust in digital platforms and a model of democratic openness.

In contrast, Zimbabwe illustrates a case where repression of online freedom of expression has intensified. During the 2023 elections, disinformation strategies were used by the state to weaken independent observers, exacerbating the manipulation of information available to voters.

This trend underscores the systematic use of censorship to maintain power, a point highlighted by the Freedom on the Net report.

South Africa is emerging as an example of balanced regulation. There, the Real411 portal allows citizens to report problematic content in a transparent manner. This initiative, which involves civil society, provides an effective framework for combating misinformation, while ensuring respect for fundamental rights, the report concludes.

Rwanda, on the other hand, used digitally manipulative technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, to reinforce pro-government narratives and discredit opponents ahead of the 2024 elections. The report notes that these tactics are part of a global trend of authoritarian regimes using technology to influence public opinion.

Internet shutdowns continue to play a central role in attempts to control information on the continent. In Sudan and Ethiopia, for example, the authorities have cut off Internet access during conflicts, limiting the dissemination of critical information, a worrying trend noted in the Freedom House report.

Furthermore, online election manipulation continues in several countries, such as Zimbabwe and Eritrea, where digital censorship is used to prevent the opposition from mobilizing voters, with detrimental consequences for democratic processes, a reality highlighted in the 2024 edition of the report.

Finally, the engagement of civil society, particularly in South Africa, continues to play a key role in the defense of digital rights and the fair regulation of online space. This finding is in line with the report’s conclusions, which highlight the importance of this participation in protecting freedom of expression on the continent.

AC/sf/lb/gik/APA

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