Global Voices has just kicked off a new project focusing on identity-driven hate speech, misinformation and harassment in African digital spaces during politically charged periods. The project, titled, “The Identity Matrix: Platform regulation of online threats to expression in Africa,” kicked off in March and will end in September. It is an extension of a previous project launched in 2019, that focused on interference with digital rights in Africa during major political events. Both projects are funded by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA).

The project is led by Afef, Amanda and Nwach who will be training, editing and guiding seven journalists from the region who will produce stories covering the following countries: Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda. Topics include hate speech, social media laws, female activists and journalists in digital spaces and online discrimination based on language or geographic origin. 

The stories will also be translated into dominant local languages and promoted over social media through curated, digital dialogues. We wish the best to the team and are eager to read the stories!