As the rise of synthetic media through generative artificial intelligence poses new threats to the practice of fortifying the truth through digital evidence, we urge collaborative work to ensure that frontline communities are empowered with locally relevant skills and tools to protect their rights.

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military domain has created a huge demand for critical minerals and large-scale personal data, resources that are frequently extracted from Global Majority countries, particularly those in Africa. This policy note explores why the relevant aspects of international human rights law must play a central role in regulating the extraction of minerals and data from Global Majority countries, ensuring that the AI-driven militarisation of technology does not come at the cost of fundamental rights, equity, and long-term stability

Nigeria’s Twitter ban sets a dangerous precedent for the African continent considering that internet shutdowns are becoming more prevalent in recent times.

The electricity situation in Nigeria is so severe that in 2019 alone, the national grid collapsed more than ten times, resulting in nationwide blackouts. The epileptic power supply therefore becomes a point of concern as we wade through this pandemic.

The avalanche of video evidence made it impossible to ignore the calls for an end to police brutality in Nigeria, just like we have witnessed in Brazil and the US. Soon, the online outrage spilled onto the streets as #EndSARS protests broke out across the country on October 8 with Nigerians demanding for SARS to be disbanded and the perpetrators held accountable.

Unfortunately, the law in many African countries are inadequate to protect brave acts of citizen journalism. The civic space is increasingly shrinking and police officers are brutalizing people for daring to expose the truth. Even when people cite the position of international law as a defense for filming, they often get harassed even more.