"In just the last few months, the NGO Global Witness put Meta’s policies to the test by submitting ads containing fraudulent election-related information ahead of the 2022 Brazilian elections. All were approved, in direct violation of the company’s election ad policies. Global Witness found similar patterns in Myanmar, Ethiopia, and Kenya."
#ToussaintNothias, 2022
https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/how-to-fight-digital-colonialism/
À la veille des élections du 23 février en Allemagne, Global Witness a ouvert des comptes sur TikTok, X et Instagram pour mesurer les effets de leurs algorithmes de recommandation. Dans le fil dont le contenu est sélectionné par un algorithme, toutes les plateformes testées ont placé des messages politiques, dont la majorité supportait des personnalités ou partis de droite. La proportion était de plus de 70% sur X et TikTok, et de 59% sur Instagram.
Les comptes de test n'avaient pas de profil politique particulier et suivaient les profils officiels des principaux partis ainsi que leurs dirigeants. Parmi les comptes suivis, ceux de l'AfD étaient les plus fréquemment choisis par l'algo sur X et Instagram. Parmi les comptes non suivis, X et TikTok ont fortement mis en avant les messages issus de l'AfD. En outre, la plateforme de Musk a amplifié des contenus haineux, qui auraient dû être modérés.
Post de Global Witness sur LinkedIn, "TikTok and X recommand pro-AfD content to non-partisan users ahead of the German elections“ : https://www.linkedin.com/posts/global-witness_globalwitnessinvestigationgermanelections2025-activity-7298220015902679040-JR7-
Compte rendu de TechCrunch, "Study of TikTok, X ‘For You’ feeds in Germany finds far-right political bias ahead of federal elections" : https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/19/study-of-tiktok-x-for-you-feeds-in-germany-finds-far-right-political-bias-ahead-of-federal-elections/
#GlobalWitness #TikTok #Instagram #Twitter #Élections #BTW25 #AfD
AfD Inhalte werden auf TikTok und XTwitter massiv bevorzugt.
📢 #Studie: #TikTok und #XTwitter bevorzugen #AfD-Inhalte in Deutschland — Eine neue Untersuchung von #GlobalWitness zeigt, dass die #Empfehlungsalgorithmen von TikTok und XTwitter in Deutschland deutlich zugunsten der AfD verzerren. (1/3)
Israel cannot Hasbara its way out of war crimes witnessed by the world.
“do you think Israel wants to kill innocent civilians?”
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Q4lndfKGb10
“Yes. I Do.”
#EthnicCleansing #CollectivePunishment #GenocideCollaborators #HumanShields #ShootingThrough #WarCrimes #GlobalWitness
Britain leads the world in cracking down on climate activism, study finds
Research shows UK police arrest environmental and climate protesters at three times the average global rate
Damien Gayle
Wed 11 Dec 2024 01.00 EST
"British police arrest environmental protesters at nearly three times the global average rate, research has found, revealing the country as a world leader in the legal crackdown on climate activism.
"Only Australia arrested climate and environmental protesters at a higher rate than UK police. One in five Australian eco-protests led to arrests, compared with about 17% in the UK. The global average rate is 6.7%."
Original article:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/11/britain-leads-the-world-in-cracking-down-on-climate-activism-study-finds
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/ukkvZ
#CriminalizingDissent
#ACAB #Autocracy #Corporatocracy
#Fascism #CriminalizingDissentIsAutocracy
#ClimateCrisis #GlobalBurning
#CorporateFascism #HumanRights #CivilLiberties #ClimateActivists
#Blackwater #NoDAPL #StandWithStandingRock
#ClimateAction #PipelineProtests #WaterProtectors #BigOilAndGas #AntiProtestLaws #SLAPPs #ErikPrinceColonialism #Article20 #2023PublicOrderAct
#Project2025 #HR9495 #GlobalWitness #AntiTerrorLaws
Pioneering research reveals growing dangers and repression of climate activism globally
Press release issued: 11 December 2024
"A new report has uncovered the many risks of participating in climate and environmental protests across the world – and how more countries are criminalising and repressing this activity in a bid to keep it in check.
"The report, led by the University of Bristol, is the first to examine global statistics on this form of protest and identify alarming trends. It reveals that more than 2,000 climate and environmental protesters have been killed over the past 12 years and that a raft of new anti-protest legislation has been enacted.
"It calls for governments, police forces and the legal system to help protect people’s right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression."
"Lead author Dr Oscar Berglund, Senior Lecturer in International Public and Social Policy at the University’s School for Policy Studies, said: “This research sheds important light on how the growing pursuit of climate and environmental protest is being handled globally. Our evidence clearly shows a global crackdown in liberal democracies as well as autocracies.
"'This is worrying because it focuses state policy on punishing dissent against inaction on climate and environmental change instead of taking adequate action on these issues. It also represents authoritarian moves that are inconsistent with the ideals of vibrant civil societies in liberal democracies.'
"The findings showed murders and disappearances of climate and environmental activists are common in many countries, with international non-governmental organisation (NGO) Global Witness reporting at least 2,106 killings between 2012 and 2023. Brazil had the highest number with 401 fatalities, followed by 298 in the Philippines, 86 in India, and 58 in Peru.
"A significant proportion of climate and environmental protests involved arrests, according to the research. The highest proportion, one in five, was found in Australia, followed by 17% in the UK – much higher than the international average of 6.3%.
"Non-violent protesters were also found to be given lengthy prison sentences to act as a deterrent. For example, this year in the UK many climate activists have been sent to prison, with the longest sentence being five years.
"The report defines environmental protests as being aimed at stopping specific environmentally destructive projects, such as fossil fuel exploration and #extraction, #deforestation, dam building or #mining. #ClimateProtests are described as more urban-based events, which tend to have broader policy demands, such as ending oil exploration, or more overarching political demands, for instance enacting a #GreenNewDeal.
"The researchers analysed data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) and Global Witness to gather global data and explore trends as well as new anti-protest legislation introduced in countries in different parts of the world.
"Four main ways were identified to criminalise and repress climate and environmental protests. Anti-protest laws are being introduced, criminalising groups, introducing new crimes, making punishment more severe for existing crimes, increasing police powers, and giving officers impunity when harming activists. Protest is also being criminalised through prosecution and courts.
"Dr Berglund explained: 'This involves using existing legislation, including anti-terror or anti-organised crime laws, to curb protest. Climate protest is being de-politicised in the courts, prohibiting mentions of climate change or environmental damage in proceedings, or otherwise changing court processes in order to increase the likelihood of activists being found guilty.'
"The third category is through policing, which is carried out not only by state actors like police or military, but also private security and military or organised crime groups. This sees a range of attempts to prevent protests through using stop and search, arrests, physical violence, and threats and intimidation of protesters.
"Dr Berglund said: “Perhaps most shockingly, we found killings and disappearances to be common in some countries. In many ways, these are an extension of policing as they are either carried out or permitted by the same authorities, often following death threats and other forms of intimidation.”
"The report makes numerous recommendations, including for public authorities to conduct regular evaluations and publish data demonstrating how their actions help safeguard the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. It also calls for anti-terror and anti-organised crime legislation against climate and environmental activists to stop.
"Dr Berglund said: 'Human rights frameworks should be at the forefront of policing considerations and operations to ensure that the public can exercise their right to protest without impediment or fear.'
"'Climate and environmental protests are increasingly prevalent, for good reason as the climate crisis worsens, and responses to this activity are evolving at pace. Further research is needed to better understand the situation so suitable measures can be identified and implemented to protect human rights and keep protesters safe.'"
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2024/december/climate-activism.html
#CriminalizingDissent #ACAB #Autocracy #Corporatocracy #Fascism #CriminalizingDissentIsAutocracy #ClimateCrisis #GlobalBurning #CorporateFascism #HumanRights #CivilLiberties #ClimateActivists #Blackwater #NoDAPL #StandWithStandingRock #ClimateAction #PipelineProtests #WaterProtectors #BigOilAndGas #AntiProtestLaws #SLAPPs #ErikPrinceColonialism #Article20 #2023PublicOrderAct
#Project2025 #HR9495 #GlobalWitness #AntiTerrorLaws
Why is violence against #EnvironmentalDefenders getting worse? Five things to know
Maxwell Radwin
11 Sep 2024
"In January 2023, two men mysteriously disappear after speaking out against pollution from a controversial iron ore mine in Michoacán, Mexico.
"The following March, climate change protesters in Austria and Germany are beaten and pepper sprayed, and some have their homes raided by law enforcement.
"In September, a pair of youth environmental advocates are abducted by armed men and interrogated for days about their work fighting construction of a new airport in the Philippines.
"All across the world, environmental defenders continue to experience censorship, threats, physical attacks, kidnappings, disappearances and even death because of their work fighting climate change, deforestation, pollution and other environmental issues.
"Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, more than 1,500 environmental defenders have been killed for their work, according to Global Witness, a human rights and environmental NGO. The figures for 2023 look like more of the same. At least 196 people were killed last year defending the environment, up from 177 in 2022. And those figures are considered a low-end estimate."
#EnvironmentalActivists #WaterDefenders #EnvironmentalJustice #GlobalWitness #Mongabay #ReaderSupportedNews
#IACHR #ExtractiveIndustries
#Mining #Logging #LandDefenders #WaterIsLife #HumanRights
#Capitalism #Greed #Corruption
#CorporateColonialism #LatinAmerica #Phillipines #India #Indonesia #Honduras #DemocraticRepublicOfCongo #PublicOrderAct #SilencingDissent #HR9495 #CriminalizingDissent
[01:01] TikTok approved Irish election disinformation ads - probe
An investigation by campaign group Global Witness has found that video-sharing platform TikTok approved ads containing disinformation about the upcoming Irish General Election.
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2024/1127/1483130-tiktok-general-election/
#GlobalWitness #TikTok
Report highlights disproportionate killings of #IndigenousEnvironmentalActivists
PBSNewshour, Nov 16, 2024
"Leaders at the United Nations’ #COP29 #CimateChange summit are being pressed this year to address the rising threats to #environmentalists and defenders of #HumanRights. Ali Rogin looks at the challenges facing these activists around the world and speaks with Laura Furones, a senior adviser at the environmental watchdog and advocacy group Global Witness, to learn more.
Watch / read transcript:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/report-highlights-disproportionate-killings-of-indigenous-environmental-activists
#GlobalWitness #Phillipines #SouthAfrica #Malaysia #Colombia #Brazil #IndigenousActivists #MurderedActivists #LandDefenders #WaterProtectors #MegaInfrastructureProjects #Mining #Megaprojects #Deforestation #HumanRightsDefenders #ProtectTheForests #WaterIsLife
Missing voices: The violent erasure of land and #environmental #defenders
September 2024
"This report and our campaign are dedicated to all those individuals, communities and organisations bravely taking a stand to defend human rights, their land, and our environment.
"Last year [2023], 196 people were murdered for doing this work.
"We also acknowledge that the names of many defenders who were killed last year may be missing, and we may never know how many more gave their lives to protect our planet. We honour their work too."
Read their names here:
https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/environmental-activists/missing-voices/
#LandDefenders #WaterProtectors #HumanRightsDefenders #IndigenousActivists #EnvironmentalDefenders #EnvironmentalActivists #AfricanActivists #Indonesia #India #Phillipines #GlobalWitness
Honduras: Anti-mining activist Juan Lopez shot dead
#JuanLopez is the fourth member of an #environmental #activism group based in in #Tocoa to be killed since 2023.
President #XiomaraCastro condemned the murder and has ordered an investigation.
September 16, 2024
"An #AntiMining #EnvironmentalActivist in #Honduras who protested to preserve #TropicalForests and rivers was killed over the weekend, even after warnings to better ensure his safety.
"Juan Lopez, 46, was gunned down as he left church Saturday in the northeastern town of Tocoa, police said on Sunday.
"Honduran President Xiomara Castro condmened the apparent murder of Lopez, a member of the Libre party she's allied to, in comments online.
"'We condemn the vile murder of our comrade and environmental leader Juan Lopez in Tocoa, Colon,' she said. 'I have ordered that all the capabilities of law enforcement be used to clarify this tragedy and identify those responsible.'
Multiple members of Lopez's enviromental organization killed
"Lopez belonged to the Municipal Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Goods, an environmental organization in Tocoa on the country's Atlantic coast.
"Three other members of the group were killed last year in what the organization saw as retaliation.
"The group had suffered threats and harassment for years amid efforts to preserve the #Guapinol and #SanPedro rivers, and the #CarlosEscaleras #Nature Reserve, as the presence of #mining and #hydroelectric companies increased.
"Honduran Attorney General Johel Zelaya said the 'reprehensible' murder would not go unpunished, and paid tribute to Lopez's #activism.
"'His life was an example of struggle. He never gave up in his incessant battle, hand-in-hand with the people to preserve natural resources,' Zelaya said on X.
Lopez aware of risks of his activism
"An outspoken member of the ruling #LibreParty, Lopez had recently publicly called for the resignation of Libre officials caught on video negotiating bribes with drug traffickers in 2013.
"Carlos Zelaya, a brother-in-law of president Castro, was caught up in that video. He resigned his seat in congress after admitting he took part in that meeting with drug gangsters.
"'If you leave home, you always have in mind that you do not know what might happen, if you are going to return,' Lopez had said in 2021 when speaking of his activism with AFP.
"Lopez had also raised the alarm himself earlier in the year, saying he had noticed two people on motorbikes observing him in locations around his home.
Activist deaths high in Latin America
"Global Witness, a British NGO, says Honduras is one of the world's most dangerous countries for environmental activists.
"#LatinAmerica accounted for 85% of all the world's environmentalists who were killed last year, with 18 deaths registered in Honduras, according to #GlobalWitness.
"The United Nations resident coordinator in Honduras, Alice Shackelford, said Lopez had been threatened for his activism and praised his determination to stand up to powerful interests.
"'We condemn the terrible murder of Juan Lopez, a human rights defender threatened for his work,' she said in a post."
km/msh (AFP, Reuters)
https://www.dw.com/en/honduras-anti-mining-activist-juan-lopez-shot-dead/a-70223466
#JusticeForJuan #GuapinolRiver #WaterDefender #SaveTheForests #DefendTheSacred
#NoMiningWithoutConsent #Greenwashing #WaterIsLife #SaveTheRivers #EMCO #InversionesLosPinares
#MunicipalCommitteeForTheDefenseOfCommonAndPublicGoods
“Another Appalling Year” of Violence Against #LandDefenders as Nearly 200 Killed Worldwide in 2023
via #DemocracyNow
September 12, 2024
"At least 196 #environmental defenders were killed last year, most of them #Indigenous or #Afro-descendant. The deadliest country was #Colombia, where at least 79 land, water and climate defenders were killed. '2023 was yet another appalling year for those who want to protect their lands and their environment,' and this violence is likely to 'intensify as the consequences of the climate crisis become more apparent,' says Laura Furones, senior adviser to the land and environmental defenders campaign at #GlobalWitness, which published the numbers in a new report."
Read more:
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/9/12/global_witness_report_land_defenders
#WaterDefenders #LandDefenders #ClimateDefenders #EnvironmentalActivists #IndigenousActivists
https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/environmental-activists/missing-voices/
🚨 #GlobalWitness 🚨
#MissingVoices: The violent erasure of #land and #Environmental defenders
#GlobalWitness: "This report and our campaign are dedicated to all those individuals, communities and organisations bravely taking a stand to defend #HumanRights, their land, and our #environment. Last year, 196 people were murdered for doing this work."
https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/environmental-activists/missing-voices/
Newly identified bot-like accounts are generating billions of impressions, sowing division and spreading disinformation on X | #GlobalWitness #Disinformation #Bots #Election24
https://www.globalwitness.org/en/press-releases/newly-identified-bot-accounts-are-generating-billions-impressions-sowing-division-and-spreading-disinformation-x/
YouTube Approved Ads Promoting Disinformation on India’s Election
YouTube approved dozens of ads promoting voter suppression and incitement to violence ahead of the upcoming election in India, according to a new investigation by the rights groups Global Witness and Access Now, shared exclusively with TIME.
#youtube #elections2024 #disinformation #VoterSuppression #GlobalWitness #AccessNow #google #BigTech #india
https://time.com/6961504/youtube-ads-disinformation-india-election/
Aumento gas serra e fallimento della lotta al climate change. Così i nuovi giacimenti di oil&gas fanno fallire la lotta al climate change. Rapporto Global Energy Monitor: l’industria del settore aumenta la produzione nonostante l’impegno globale ad abbandonare i combustibili fossili
Allontanarsi dai combustibili fossili...
#cambiamentoclimatico #carbonbudget #climatechange #conferenzaonu #Copernicus #GlobalEnergyMonitor #GlobalWitness #Oil&gas #riscaldamentoglobale
" #HSBC and #NatWest accused of financing #NorthSea #oil #extraction despite pledge
Two major #UK high street #banks have been accused of continuing to finance #FossilFuel expansion in the North Sea despite signing a pledge to align their activities with the net zero #climate goal.
HSBC and NatWest have provided tens of millions in finance to #Ithaca Energy, a #British oil and #gas company that is playing a key role in plans to exploit the controversial #Rosebank oilfield north-west of the #Shetland Islands. Another high street bank, #Lloyds, also provided finance but has since sold down the debt.
A group of more than 80 organisations including #GlobalWitness, #Greenpeace and the #RainforestActionNetwork have written to the banks’ chief executives calling on them to cease funding Ithaca and to end their relationship with the company."
#FossilFuels #Capitalism #UKPolitics #UK #Carbon #CO2 #ClimateCrisis #ClimateChange #Klima #Klimakrise #GlobalWarming #ClimateChange
#Emissions connected to top #oil and #gas firms may cause millions of #HeatDeaths by 2100, study finds
#GlobalWitness analysis suggests 11.5 million deaths could be caused by burning of #FossilFuel produced by 2050
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/mar/20/emissions-connected-to-top-oil-and-gas-firms-may-cause-millions-of-heat-deaths-by-2100-study-finds
#ClimateCrisis #DontLookUp
