MISA BOTSWANA CONDUCTS AWARENESS WORKSHOPS ON DIGITAL RIGHTS

Media Institute of Southern Africa will embark on training workshop/seminars as part of a digital rights awareness project that started in 2022. The next two workshops for civil society advocacy groups and policymakers, are earmarked for January 30, 2024 and February 8, 2024 respectively.

Facilitated by media Consultant, Thapelo Ndlovu, the main thrust of the programmes shall be the Data Protection and the Right to Privacy and will see expert presentations, notably, Cyber Specialist, David Moepeng of CyberSmart Botswana, while others are yet to be announced.

With realisation that data and online privacy are constantly under attack, the project is conceptualised under the theme: “The African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms: fostering a human rights centred approach to privacy, data protection and access to the internet in southern Africa.”

The project, which is supported by Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA), rolled out by the Association of Professional Communications (APC) in 4 other countries in the region, is administered by Namibia Media Trust and implemented by MISA Botswana in Botswana.

With the anticipation of a full operational Data Protection Act, MISA Botswana found it necessary to undertake public awareness and education campaigns to sensitize key stakeholders, including the general public. Through this project, MISA Botswana has so far conducted workshops in Maun, Palapye and Gaborone. Participants were drawn from a diverse population, including duty bearers in both government and civil society, traditional leadership, and media practitioners.

The Data Protection Act provides for safety of personal information, which usually falls into wrong hands upon been disclosed in official platforms. Linked to this is the right to privacy, which is provided for in both international and regional principles. Botswana is signatory to some of these conventions and therefore expected to domesticate and enforce them. 

With Regards

 Boitumelo Kgalushi

AG. National Director