Menu
African media

Implementation of Resolutions on digital rights instruments underway

, ,

 

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR)’s Special Rapporteur (SR) on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, Commissioner Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, has begun the implementation of Resolutions 620, 630 and 631.

These Resolutions aim to develop African digital rights instruments for freedom of expression, access to information and information integrity solutions.

The SR is working with the African Alliance for Access to Data (AAAD), Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and the SOS Coalition which are the implementing organisations for each of the Resolutions.

The AAAD is leading Resolution 620, which focuses on promoting and harnessing data access as a tool for advancing human rights and sustainable development in the digital age

For this Resolution, the SR Mandate includes consulting broadly around the continent to examine and develop appropriate normative standards to guide data collection, deployment and access issues concerning data and to support efforts that promote and protect access to data across Africa.

MMA, with the support of UNESCO, is leading Resolution 630, which is concerned with developing Guidelines to assist States to monitor technology companies in respect of their duty to maintain information integrity through independent fact checking

Here, the SR Mandate entails developing Guidelines with all interested parties, such as civil society, regulatory bodies and technology companies, to enable States Parties to effectively monitor the platforms’ performance in order to inform of the efforts to advance information integrity online, including the role of independent fact-checking in the African context.

SOS is leading Resolution 631, which is aimed at working towards the assessment of public service content (PSC) in this digital era and developing guidelines to ensure a public interest element for all platforms operating in Africa

Interested individuals and parties are invited to submit their views on Resolution 631 here.

As such, the SR Mandate is to consult with African role players with an interest in broadcasting, freedom of expression, media freedom, digital rights, access to information policy and lawmaking to assess their concept of PSC in current times.

This extends to developing Guidelines for Member States to assist them in developing a future focused policy framework for universal access to PSC in Africa.

These Resolutions all launched at the 2025 Digital Rights Inclusion Forum (DRIF) in Lusaka Zambia, which is hosted by the Paradigm Initiative (PIN). They have similar processes which include broad consultation at key African conferences.

Read ‘Digital rights, inclusion conference highlights human rights elements’, which looks at DRIF 2025, here

These sessions feature expert panelists who offer in-depth insights, while also allowing for broader participation by creating an opportunity for conference delegates to contribute during and after the sessions.

Each Resolution has a Google form where individuals can contribute their unique perspectives and to help shape the development of these Guidelines.

Organisations working in digital rights, broadcasting, media freedom, civic technology, journalism, access to information policy and lawmaking, internet governance and related fields are encouraged to participate in these consultations

The ACHPR, along with the implementing organisations, further urges funders to support this critical work, financially or otherwise, keeping in mind that the digital space has become central to civic engagement, democratic participation and access to services.

These instruments will ensure a rights-based approach to internet governance in Africa and further benefit African States while potentially advancing freedom of expression and access to information in the digital age.

For more information:

SOS COALITION

PICTURE: ‘Tell the African Story’ (DW Akademie)

Related Posts