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

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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