artivism

• Disinformation research reveals how governments hijack & weaponize narratives to serve their political agenda

  

  Disinformation campaigns are on the rise in East Asia as states use false information to shape self-serving narratives.

  The newly launched DisinformationCounter.com sets out to contribute to public knowledge and understanding of disinformation, especially how governments use it in ways that negatively impact civic space and democracy in East Asia. The platform launches with a research project to map the regional disinformation landscape. Case studies focused on the Philippines, Mindanao, Indonesia, West Papua, Hong Kong, and Cambodia, but are indicative of a larger, systemic issue across the region. This research is, therefore, to be seen as part of the rising call from East Asian civil society for greater transparency and freedom of information.

  Accompanying the research, the ARTSvsDISINFORMATION project brought seven artists together to explore creative, accessible, and public ways of responding to and resisting disinformation. It is also hoped that the research and artistic responses will inspire and empower civic, academic, and creative responses towards disinformation.

  Both projects are hosted on the newly launched DisinformationCounter.com.

  "Disinformation erodes democracy. It undermines fundamental freedoms. It stokes hate and violence while polarizing societies along the lines of race, religion, ideology, class, and gender. It destroys lives. In a crisis that is on a scale we’ve never seen before, disinformation kills. East Asia has been witness to this and more, much like the rest of the world.”

  – Tess Bacalla, Editor

  HIJACKING & WEAPONIZING THE NARRATIVE: Disinformation Amid Rising Repression in East Asia examines the specific ways by which states have become a major player in the spread of disinformation and how these narratives influence state policies and the use of state resources. Written and edited by well-known journalists and writers on disinformation in the region, this research project maps the disinformation landscape in the Philippines, Mindanao, Indonesia, West Papua, Hong Kong, and Cambodia.

  Why we should be concerned

  CIVICUS Asia Pacific Researcher Josef Benedict says, “Across the Asian region we are seeing governments deploy disinformation tactics to spread pro-government narratives, mount smear campaigns against their political opposition and civil society, and to divert conversations away from critical issues facing people’s lives. This critical report exposes these manipulation campaigns and empowers civil society to challenge both states and non-state actors to not only refrain from conducting and sponsoring disinformation, but to address it in a manner that respects human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.”

  Narrative is power

  Creating and pushing narratives that distort otherwise meaningful public conversations has become an integral, albeit destructive, component of the strategies that have been used by governments for ages. Today’s technologies have ramped up these efforts, ushering in a new world disorder that has governments hijacking and weaponizing narratives. Talk about the ‘new normal’ in the digital age!

  “Narrative, after all, is power, especially when used – calibrated and weaponized – to manipulate people to advance specific agendas, especially of those in power,” writes Tess Bacalla in her introduction to the research.

  Muting counternarratives

  These reports lift the veil on how repressive governments in the region are increasingly using disinformation to rein in dissent while perpetuating power. These on the whole are reeling under the burden of aggressive campaigns against the dissemination of truthful accounts of public governance issues and events that impact people’s lives while muting counter voices, often with the use of brute force, draconian legislation, and other forms of repression.

  Why this research matters

  When asked why this research project is important to the region, Tess responded with this remark, “To say that there is extreme urgency to train the spotlight on the unrelenting scourge of disinformation – this, as states and other political actors wantonly manipulate information to suit their political agendas while harming the public interest – is to belabor the obvious.

  “This series of reports is a step in that direction – and a plea for action.”

  -End-

  To view the collection of seven artworks, click here.

  To read the series of disinformation reports, click here. 

  About CIVICUS

  CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world.

  We were established in 1993 and since 2002 have been proudly headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with additional hubs across the globe. We are a membership alliance with more than 10,000 members in more than 175 countries.

  Our definition of civil society is broad and covers non-governmental organisations, activists, civil society coalitions and networks, protest and social movements, voluntary bodies, campaigning organisations, charities, faith-based groups, trade unions and philanthropic foundations. Our membership is diverse, spanning a wide range of issues, sizes and organisation types.

  For further information or to request interviews with CIVICUS staff and contributors to this project, please contact Josef Benedict: 

• International Youth Day Symposium: Vote for your favourite work

  International Youth Day 2018 Creative Symposium:Re-Imagining Democracy: in search of silenced voices

  We are delighted to announce the finalists of the 2018 International Youth Day Creative Symposium! After a very difficult selection process, thirteen amazing young artists were selected as finalists to get the chance to be featured in the 2018 State of Civil Society Report and receive a cash prize of $300 USD can be donated to the organisation or cause of their choice.

  To help them win, please vote for your favorite artist before August 11 noon (SAST).  The online general public vote will represent a 40% of the final evaluation score to select the top 2 in each category. The remaining 60% will be decided by our judging panel.

  To vote go to our Facebook and Twitter pages.

  And the finalists are:

  Written Category

  Cláudia Cassoma: “Chave Mestra”

  

  Democracy is a system for the people by the people. Today, in my encounters, one thing I hear a lot are complaints by youth about the million things that are wrong with the world while they themselves are doing nothing. Usually, that's the case because they feel they can't do anything. The piece I wrote title "Chave Mestra" [Master Key] tells them just the opposite. It's a message for youth to reimagine democracy by seeing themselves as the master key, the key to solve any if not all issues we face. By considering the fact that if we aren't the solution we're the problem we reimagine democracy by offering ourselves as solutions to the many problems.

  Dorothy Tiu: “Huli”

  

  A controversy ripples through campus over a gang rape incident that left one student dead, one victim charged for murder, and one offender left off the hook with a mere warning. As the school struggles to bury the story under wraps, two boys sculpt their vision of modern-day Justicia for a gallery at the opening of their school's new fine arts building. They call their statue "Huli"- a soldier for the silenced, a guardian of free-thought, and a symbol of courage. The story portrays students in their plight for justice and freedom to think, speak, and act against the school's wrongdoings, even at the cost of defying the school's contract demanding silence. 

  Gabriel Karsan: “Freedom of Not”

  

  In a conflicted era of influence, it's a piece about revaluing voices of youth, Doing more to find a way to revive hope, Accountable and ethical democratic process.

  Pablo Gómez: “Democracia latent”

  

  Es una conjugación de vivencias e imágenes que observo desde que tengo consciencia. Siendo indígena tseltal y estar conociendo otros mundo me invita a soñar que se puede lograr cambios con mucho esfuerzo y trabajo. Reinventar la democracia, implica incluir a los indígenas y jóvenes como yo. Respetando las diferencias y respetando el ambiente, que es para nosotros sagrado. Mi Pueblo, Oxchuc,Chiapas,Mex. ha luchado mucho para mantener su autodeterminación y me ha tocado ver morir a gente por ello, todo porque no reconocen que como indígenas tenemos otras formas de organizarnos.

  Refilwe Charmaine Mametja: “Hear my voice”

  

  The poem speaks about silenced voice which is not listened to due to the colour of the skin.

  Visual Arts Category

  Maxim Liho: “We Are One”

  

  Equality for all national groups is an integral part of democracy. A free society is characterized by a tolerant attitude of people to each other. Therefore, reimagining democracy is directly related to the establishment of equal rights for each of the nationalities and ethnic groups, as well as for persons of different ages and genders. I think that my picture reflects this value and conveys the importance of eliminating the problem of inequality throughout the world.

  Natalia Mykhaylova: “Common Language”

  

  The inspiration behind the work is the impact we have on society and the society has on us form my perspective as a young person. The work makes use of photography, digital editing and mixed media to convey the message directly and tangibly based on my travel experiences. "Common language" was inspired by a trip to University of Ariel in West Bank in Israel. There, Israeli and Palestinian students live and work together and achieve high level of success in building startup companies where founders are from Israel and Palestine, despite the conflict between regions. The people there pride themselves in how their collaboration leads to success despite all the cultural and religious barriers. The work was also inspired by the story about the tower of Babel and the importance of finding the common language to build something successful.

  Shalom Fildelis: “One voice”

  

  I dream of a democracy where the interest of the youth would be represented, where misunderstanding and miscommunication which courses barriers in language, religion and ethnicity would be broken and people can come together under one voice and one culture.

  Vandita Sariya: “One”

  

  "Democracy is a way of life.
  Where differences complement,
  similarities align,
  and together, for better, they strive. "

  Ngunan Ioron Aloho: “One Vote Naija”

  

  "Youths involved in addressing issues of getting people to get their voters card in order to vote for the right person. People to know their rights and understand that we are the ones who chose our leaders. "

  Multimedia Category

  Nermesh Singh: “Colours of Unity”

  

  When speaking of unity, in Malaysian context, almost instantly the first thing that comes to mind is all races living together hand-in-hand in harmony. As picture perfect as that may be, it is only a portion of what unity is truly all about. The spirit of brethren amongst the many races is merely one speck of the larger spectrum of unity. Unity comes in many other forms the likes of unity in education, cultural appreciation, socio-economy, political, regional, etc.In the video, 4 friends of different life background were tensed on the attitude of 21st generation; however the love in between embrows them to continue their long-lasting friendship.

  Henry Amazin Toe: “Know Who to Vote for”

  

  "I feel democracy should be everybody business. The song, ""Know Who To Vote For"" is a sensitive song for citizens to vote right, not to vote based on Ethnicity or Religion. In this song, we mobilize our citizens to vote right. "

  Razafimamonjy Andrianandrasana Jean Francis: “L'égalité de droit et le respect envers les femmes”

  

  C'est un Slampoésie qui parle du droit de la femme et de l'engagement de l'homme envers elle. à savoir l'égalité de droit et du respect!

• International Youth Day Symposium: Winners

  International Youth Day 2018 Creative Symposium:Winners

   

  Written Category Winner

  Name: Cláudia Cassoma, Angola

  Title: “Chave Mestra”

  

  Democracy is a system for the people by the people. Today, in my encounters, one thing I hear a lot are complaints by youth about the million things that are wrong with the world while they themselves are doing nothing. Usually, that's the case because they feel they can't do anything. The piece I wrote title "Chave Mestra" [Master Key] tells them just the opposite. It's a message for youth to reimagine democracy by seeing themselves as the master key, the key to solve any if not all issues we face. By considering the fact that if we aren't the solution we're the problem we reimagine democracy by offering ourselves as solutions to the many problems.

  Visual Arts Category Winner

  Name: Vandita Sariya, India

  Title: “One”

  

  "Democracy is a way of life.
  Where differences complement,
  similarities align,
  and together, for better, they strive. "

  Multimedia Category Winner

  Name: Henry Amazin Toe, Liberia

  Title: “Know Who to Vote for”

  

  "I feel democracy should be everybody business. The song, ""Know Who To Vote For"" is a sensitive song for citizens to vote right, not to vote based on Ethnicity or Religion. In this song, we mobilize our citizens to vote right."

• THE GAMBIA: ‘I use my art to effect change, and that is why I am being targeted’

  

  On his way to participate in International Civil Society Week (ICSW) in Belgrade, Serbia, the Gambian rapper and activist Killa Ace was detained at the Gambia-Senegal border on flimsy excuses, causing him to miss his flight and making him unable to attend the gathering. He speaks to CIVICUS about his experience, the reasons why governments are trying to silence activists who voice criticism through art, and the overall context in The Gambia since its democratic change of government inJanuary 2017.

  You were recently detained at the Gambia-Senegal border on your way to ICSW, the global civil society gathering convened by CIVICUS. Can you tell us more about this experience?

  In early April 2019 I was on my way to Belgrade, where ICSW was being held, and when I arrived at the Senegal-Gambia border, officials on the Senegalese side called me in for screening. At first, I was searched by a drug squad officer. He searched me with confidence and bitterness, only to find nothing. I got handcuffed and all the papers that I had on me were taken. I wasn't allowed to make calls and I was held in detention for five hours. I was finally released at 8.30pm, and my flight was at 10.00pm, so it was impossible for me to make it to Dakar airport in time.

  In an attempt to justify my detention, the officer explained that they were allowed to keep me detained until the legal time was up. This gave me the impression that this was a calculated delaying tactic aimed at depriving me of the opportunity to participate in an international civil society forum abroad and express concerns about corruption, governance and the daily problems of citizens in The Gambia and Senegal.

  Why do you think you were targeted?

  I think I was targeted for being an activist. I’m a well-known partner of the Y’en a marre (‘I’m fed up’) movement in Senegal, which opposes the current Senegalese government. This group was formed by rappers and journalists in 2011, to protest against ineffective government and to call on young people to vote, which was done very effectively and helped oust former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade. I believe that my affiliations and connections with Y’en a marre, in addition to me being very vocal on corruption and other major issues, led to further intimidation and the prolongation of my detention.

  Other members of Y’en a marre have faced similar restrictions. A group of Y’en a marre activists were held for hours at the border in December 2018, on their way back to Dakar from a joint event we organised in The Gambia.

  I think my detention was based on profiling and used as an intimidation tactic. Based on the manner in which I was detained and what transpired during my detention, I've come to realise that at the beginning I was suspected of having drugs; in fact, the officer who conducted the search seemed very confident that I had illegal substances on me. But after a thorough search and as nothing was found, my documents, including my bank card, were confiscated for a few hours. What was most alarming was that when he returned with my documents, the officer said, “We know that you’re Killa Ace and you are part of this movement,” while pointing at a bag of t-shirts that I had with me. The t-shirts had the phrase ‘Get involved in entrenching The Gambia’s future’ printed on them and were part of the advocacy material for the Get Involved project my organisation is currently working on in partnership with the Constitutional Review Commission. The t-shirts were for distribution among fellow ICSW participants.

  Have you experienced similar restrictions in The Gambia after the country underwent democratisation?

  I have recently experienced similar restrictions in my own country. In October 2018 I was profiled, arrested and severely brutalised by members of the Gambia Police Force, and more precisely, officers from the notorious, newly established Anti-Crime Unit. I was detained at the Anti-Crime Unit camp and later charged with bogus accusations, including assaulting a police officer and breaking the peace, and taken to court. I am still being prosecuted and am next in court in May 2019.

  Do you think this is an ongoing trend affecting other civil society activists as well?

  I do believe that this is part of an ongoing trend. Mine was just one case among many. The first victim of abuse under the administration of President Adama Barrow, inaugurated in January 2017, was Dr Ismaila Ceesay, a lecturer and public commentator. He was arrested in January 2018 for speaking out about the fragility of the security sector in The Gambia. He was never charged, and he was only released following pressure from civil society. Another prominent activist who was arbitrarily arrested was Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, an environmentalist who was also slapped with fictitious and frivolous charges. As well as these cases of well-known activists, countless anonymous civilians have been assaulted and unlawfully arrested.

  How much real change has taken place after the 2017 inauguration of a democratically elected government?

  During President Yahya Jammeh’s authoritarian government, I left the country and moved to Senegal. I returned full of expectations after Jammeh’s rule was over, but I continued to speak up about issues affecting ordinary Gambians under the new regime, including police abuses and corruption.

  It is now apparent that the new regime is using the same intimidation tactics as its predecessor in an effort to silence activists and critical opponents. The change of government has been a major disappointment to me, as the same system and laws are still in place and being enforced. None of the promised institutional reforms ever truly materialised. The security sector hasn’t been reformed and still harbours brutal and cruel officers, many of whom perpetrated human rights abuses under the former dictatorial government. Following the case of Dr Ceesay, in February 2018 The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (TANGO), the national civil society network, issued a resolution condemning the growing trend of abuse and police brutality under the Barrow administration, and demanded the accountability of all officers responsible for arbitrary and unlawful arrests and detentions. But those responsible for systematic intimidation and abuses remain unpunished.

  In sum, nepotism, corruption, selective justice and police brutality are still common in today’s ‘new democracy’. The freedom of assembly is still not guaranteed, and the administration has warned citizens against participating in demonstrations and protests. In 2017 we organised a protest, Occupy Westfield, to express our dissatisfaction with lack of water and electricity, and were dispersed by groups of heavily armed security personnel.

  In 2018 I helped organise a peaceful demonstration under the hashtag #Defadoy (‘enough is enough’), calling for the end of police brutality, corruption and environmental exploitation. And while the new government was being accused of corruption, I recorded a song titled ‘Combat Corruption’. So I can see why the government views me as an enemy.

  I am often targeted, stopped and screened when I go out. Recently the security forces have been raiding recording studios in the hope that they will catch me doing something illegal that they can use to pin me down. With all the harassment going on, I don’t feel safe any longer.

  Would you tell us more about your work?

  I’m a rapper and activist. I use my art to effect change, sensitise people and address social issues. I think messages are all the more effective when delivered in a language that young people understand, as is the case with hip hop. I also host a radio civic education programme called The Gambia Tonight. And I am the founder and president of Team Gom Sa Bopa (‘Believe In Yourself’), a youth empowerment civil society organisation dedicated to raising awareness among young people through art and arousing their interest in national development. The movement engages artists and influencers to play an active role in civic education, to build community at the local level and play the role of national watchdogs, keeping our government and public officials accountable.

  We are doing a lot of work that is necessary for democracy to work, and we would welcome any support we could get from international civil society, including funding to support projects, protection and risk mitigation initiatives, help to cover legal fees and capacity building. That is why attending ICSW was so important to us, and that is exactly why we encountered insurmountable obstacles to attend.

  Civic space in The Gambia is rated as ‘obstructed’ by theCIVICUS Monitor.

  Get in touch with Killa Ace through hisFacebook page or follow@killaace1 on Twitter, and watch his latest video, I’m a Victim, onYouTube.