technology

U.S. bars visas for ex-EU tech regulator Thierry Breton, four NGO leaders, escalating rift over online speech rules The U.S. State Department said it will deny visas to former European Union commissioner Thierry Breton and four prominent figures in the digital-speech arena, accusing them of trying to “coerce” American social media platforms into censoring viewpoints they oppose. “These radical activists and weaponised NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states — in each case targeting American speakers and…

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission warned this week that technology‑facilitated gender‑based violence (TFGBV) is moving from the margins into the mainstream, forcing many women and girls to silence themselves online and offline. The statement, released to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, said that journalists, activists, politicians and young women in Zimbabwe are among the most affected and urged stronger enforcement of existing laws. "Women and girls are increasingly…

West Africa Media and Development Conference Kicks Off in Abuja The third edition of the West Africa Media and Development Conference (MDC 3.0) is underway in Abuja, bringing together approximately 300 journalists, policymakers, researchers, diplomats, and technology leaders from across more than a dozen African countries. In his opening remarks at the conference on Monday, Dapo Olorunyomi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES,…

In a recent move, the Zimbabwean government has mandated that administrators of WhatsApp groups within its jurisdiction must register and obtain a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). This development is not just a bureaucratic tick-off; it reflects significant shifts in the country’s regulatory landscape. POTRAZ has set a minimum licensing fee of U.S.$50, but this amount could skyrocket to as high as U.S.$2,500, depending on the group's nature and size. The authorities…

Hormuud Salaam Foundation Joins Forces with SomaliREN and Tabaarak ICT to Boost Tech Skills for Somali Youth MOGADISHU, Somalia - On October 27, 2024, at Mogadishu’s Jazeera Hotel, Hormuud Salaam Foundation teamed up with SomaliREN and Tabaarak ICT Solutions to kick off the "Bile Initiative." This program focuses on final-year Computer Science scholars, giving them specialized training, guidance, and job prospects. With an ambition to bolster 150 students, this initiative dives deep into intensive courses…

In commemoration of International Day of Democracy, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered an insightful message highlighting the critical need to safeguard free expression. He also raised an alarm about the lurking dangers posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Guterres cautioned that if left unchecked, AI could wreak havoc on democratic frameworks, primarily by disseminating misleading information and inciting animosity among different groups. He pointed out that this year, the stakes are particularly high, as…

Will digital revolutionize agriculture in Africa and help improve yields? Some people believe a lot in it, although there is still a long way to go. Morocco has started with that, with a view to extending what works against the other countries on the African continent. The future of agriculture in Morocco was at the heart of a virtual discussion organized by Impact Lab * on 5 May.…