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. ---------- 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. ---------- 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 ----------