Reclaiming the Internet for Democracy

How are various groups working to ensure that the internet remains an open platform for democratic engagement? What are the biggest challenges they face? What can be done to support their efforts? At present, global internet policy decisions are dominated by large tech firms and state actors. Missing from the equation are a number of important voices from the democracy community – particularly from the Global South – whose perspective is essential if we want the internet to fully live up to its democratic potential.

Please join us for a panel discussion that will feature the six Open Internet Leaders participating in the Open Internet for Democracy initiative, a project coordinated by the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). The six speakers, who represent a diverse group of global advocates from local civic, media, and private sector organizations, will highlight the threats of a closing internet space they have experience in their local, national, and regional context, as well as what must be done in the space in order to truly reclaim the internet for democracy.

Please visit the Center for International Media Assistance’s website for more information.