Session organized by the B Team and Access Now
Webcast of the session:Meeting linkMeeting number: 841 558 315
Password: smgwPdAP
Short description of the session
This session will look at the unique ways in which governments are using internet shutdowns, taxes on social media, and censorship laws to attack freedom of expression. Due to the methods governments are employing to limit speech, telecommunication and social media industries are often caught in the middle of potential widespread violations of freedom of expression. We will invite company representatives to explore the unique role of telecommunication and social media platforms in addressing these threats and finding solutions to honour the principles of internationally recognized human rights.
Session objectives- To unpack what good corporate leadership looks like on this issue by bringing company representatives to discuss how they are confronting threats to freedom of expression.
- To highlight how civil society and the private sector can meaningfully work together to prevent and mitigate these abusive government tactics when they occur.
- To share key elements of the “business case” for civic freedoms so that CSOs reps can gain skills in advocating to the private sector on these issues.
- For the company reps in the room we would work to engage them to join the Business Network for the Protection of Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders.
Key discussion questions- How can companies be most effective when speaking out against government policies that violate human rights?
- What are key considerations for companies’ human rights due diligence in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights?
- How can companies mitigate the risks of misuse of their technology to violate human rights and avoid becoming involved in adverse human rights impacts?
- What role can the private sector play in combating internet shutdowns and social media taxes?
- What role can multi-stakeholder initiatives play in protecting freedom of expression and right to privacy? Where do you think MSIs could be doing a better job?
- How can companies build stronger relationships with civil society organizations and human rights defenders?
Format of the session
Panel discussion with audience Q and A.
Background to the discussion
This session will look at the unique ways in which governments are using internet shutdowns, taxes on social media, and censorship laws to attack freedom of expression. Due to the methods governments are employing to limit speech, telecommunication and social media industries are often caught in the middle of potential widespread violation of freedom of expression. We will invite company representatives to explore the unique role of telecommunication and social media platforms in addressing these threats and finding solutions to honour the principles of internationally recognized human rights.
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We would like to unpack what good corporate leadership looks like on this issue by bringing company representatives to discuss how their companies are confronting front these threats. The goal would be to show how civil society and the private sector can meaningfully work together to prevent and mitigate these abusive government tactics when they occur. We would also like to highlight the ways in which the private sector benefits from civic space and environments where rights are respected in order to catalyze more company action on this issue.
We will share key elements of the “business case” for civic freedoms so that CSOs reps can gain skills in advocating to the private sector on these issues. For the company reps in the room we would work to engage them to join Business Network for the Protection of Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders. Lastly, we would like to enable interested stakeholders to further shape this work and propose how we can expand the circle of committed leaders and companies working to protect civic rights.
