Phumzile Van Damme - Digital Disinformation Undermines Global Democratic Processes and Institutions.

<p>The rise of the internet in the 21st century has been accompanied by

unprecedented levels of polarisation, division, and weaponised

information. At the same time democracies around the world are being hit

by a huge range of different, and rapidly evolving hostile state

activities. The focus of this channel is primarily Russia, but this

problem is not confined to countries that oppose Russia’s expansionism

and influence in Europe and the US. This is a global problem, with many

countries learning and adopting the techniques of digital manipulation

for electoral advantage. Once the ‘technology’ and methodology of malign

influence through social platforms has been developed, it can be used

by local as well as international players, to undermine opponents and

their values, and democratic institutions.

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SPEAKER:

Phumzile Van Damme is an Award-Winning Counter-Electoral Disinformation

Expert, digital rights activist, Changemaker, and authority on Platform

Accountability. Van Damme is a consultant in South African and former

Member of Parliament representing South Africa’s official opposition,

the Democratic Alliance and described as a “Young MP with a mission.”

She was first elected at the 2014 South African general election and

re-elected in 2019. She served as a Whip in the National Assembly and

was the Shadow Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

Committee. She also serves on boards and advisory councils of

organisations dedicated to fighting disinformation and online violence

against women and holding social media companies for harms emanating

from their platforms. Van Damme has received many accolades for her

achievements and work, such as the 2022 Vital Voices Global Leadership

Award, Forbes Magazine Top 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa, 2019/20

Vital Voices fellowship, and 2021/Munich Security Conference Young

Leader.

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LINKS:

https://twitter.com/zilevandamme

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phumzile_van_Damme

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phumzile-van-damme/

https://www.vitalvoices.org/fellow/phumzile-van-damme/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adDXhacRlds

https://www.independent.co.uk/author/phumzile-van-damme

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