Democracy, Human Rights and Communication/Advocacy

We are entering a new era of social media and digital data regulation. The digital age has come with new challenges to human rights and democracy in the public and digital sphere including the impact of hate speech, fake news, disinformation, censorship, uneven digital access, freedom of expression, media shutdowns and challenges to privacy and data protection.

In addition, activists, advocacy groups, promotional industries and corporate organisations are increasingly using various data generated in the digital space to target consumers and governments to advocate for social justice and social change (digital activism), including gender, race and social inequalities related issues.

How can law and policy help to create a safer online environment, curb the spread of information disorder, mitigate bias in AI systems, and help shape the development of human rights compliant algorithms? How do we define democratic social media regulation and what are the strategies/opportunities for effective public participation, digital activism and communication campaigns? How should regulators respond when free speech rights are used to impede democratic participation, reduce inclusion or foster polarisation? Our cluster will have an impact in shaping the ethical conceptualisation, use, regulation, and transformation of the digital environment.