The ‘My Voice Counts’ (Ma Voix Compte) project involves advocacy towards Parliament, the Constitutional Court and the Personal Data Protection Authority (APDP) to review the Digital Code, which restricts freedom of expression online in Benin.
Activities
Advocacy and consultation for the review of the digital code , with an analysis of article 550 of the Code and proposals for reform in line with international standards.
Raising awareness and mobilizing civil society by organising public debates in partnership with the Abomey-Calav commune.
Digital awareness campaign and advocacy webinars on fact-checking, cybersecurity and critical content analysis to mobilise the public around the fight against disinformation and the defense of freedom of expression, and to structure recommendations addressed to the relevant authorities, with the presentation of the InfoCheckBot tool as a concrete technical solution.
Digital advocacy relay on existing citizen platforms aimed at building community support for advocacy messages, creating a space for sustainable digital dialogue, and disseminating recommendations from other project components.
Expected outcomes
A new Digital Code obtained following the amendment of article 550, guaranteeing freedom of expression.
Five awareness-raising campaigns in areas with high exposure to misinformation, accompanied by six public forums, resulted in heightened awareness of digital rights and the risks of information manipulation, and the official commitment of five local authorities and five CSOs to better protect freedom of expression online.
A digital campaign involves over 5,000 young people and mobilises five CSOs through the co-production and dissemination of content on digital rights and the fight against misinformation. The exchanges lead to concrete recommendations addressed to national authorities, advocating in particular the adoption of tools such as InfoCheckBot in digital content regulation practices, while respecting freedom of expression.
Reach 10,000 users via interactive campaigns to promote freedom of expression and combat misinformation. Creation of a digital dialogue space for advocacy, as well as targeted action for the adoption of the InfoCheckBot tool to establish transparent digital governance.
About Amicale pour le Développement Durable (APDD)
APDD defends human rights in Benin by promoting education, gender equality and youth empowerment through training, strengthening school infrastructure and digital inclusion, thus helping to reduce inequalities and promote access to information and inclusive, sustainable development.
