August highlights from the Thomson Reuters Foundation
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August update
Welcome to the Thomson Reuters Foundation's monthly newsletter!
From tipping point to turning point: identifying support for journalists in exile
The media plays a crucial role as one of the pillars of free, fair, and informed societies. When journalists can report freely, institutions are more transparent and accountable, and democracy thrives.
But around the world, journalists are being forced to make an impossible choice: flee their homes and abandon their work, or risk their lives to report the truth. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, the number of journalists seeking support for relocation has increased by 227% between 2020 and 2023.
At this year's Trust Conference, Lotfullah Najafizada, Laura Aguirre and Will Church will explore the factors guiding journalists to make such critical decisions. This session will then offer practical solutions for journalists to prepare for exile and re-establish themselves elsewhere.
Over two days, Trust Conference will explore challenges to global democracy as AI becomes increasingly integrated into our digital landscape, and the role that responsible business can play in the wake of global transformations. Confirmed speakers include Nobel Laureate, Maria Ressa, and renowned journalist, Kara Swisher.
Join us on 22-23 October at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. Tickets are free. If you haven't already registered, please apply for your place now.
- 📅 22 October 2024 – 23 October 2024
- 📍 Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London
Please note that places are limited and tickets are therefore not guaranteed. We will contact you by email to confirm if your application is successful.
Writing for Context, Sir Mo Farah on climate change and malnutrition
For World Humanitarian Day, Context heard from British Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah on how people in Somaliland - his birthplace - are working to fight hunger.
Farah's visit spotlighted the devastating impact of climate change and malnutrition on families and children. In Somalia, 4 million people face severe food shortages, and nearly 2 million children are at risk of acute malnutrition.
Despite this, Sir Mo found hope in the community resilience and collective support he witnessed.
"No matter where they are born, every child should have the right to be a child with the freedom to play and live in a world without uncertainty." - Sir Mo Farah
August highlights from across the Foundation
Enabling Access to the Law
With AI sparking disinformation and copyright concerns, there is little research on its impact and regulation in Eastern and Southern Africa. To address this, TrustLaw, with ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa and other leading law firms, are researching laws that will apply to GenAI.
The findings will be presented at this year's Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica), and will look at how civil society might use this research to advocate for human rights-centred approaches to AI.
Strengthening Independent Media
Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are an abuse of the legal system and were identified as a key threat to independent media in our Weaponizing the Law: Attacks on Media Freedom report, published with the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Colombia University last year.
SLAPPs attempt to intimidate public watchdogs, including media, through lengthy and expensive litigation, effectively silencing those who hold power to account.
As part of our global work to support the resilience of independent media, we're a proud member of the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE).
Launching next month, CASE's new Anti-SLAPP guidebook and accompanying online training series aims to help public watchdogs understand how to protect themselves against legal threats. Our Senior Legal Manager, Elise Perry, will be chairing these sessions, which will be delivered virtually throughout September.
Promoting Responsible Business
Strengthening sustainable business sits at the heart of our work to foster more inclusive economies. As part of this, we collect data through our Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI) on how some of the world's largest businesses manage their people.
The WDI is one of the world’s leading voluntary disclosure initiatives aimed at improving corporate transparency and accountability on workforce issues.
This year's disclosure window has just closed, with results going on to inform our upcoming report launching later this year. Attendees at Trust Conference will get a sneak peek of the findings during a spotlight session.
Discover more in our focus areas:
Strengthening Independent Media | Promoting Responsible Business | Enabling Access to the Law
This month we recommend
Building responsible technology: Spotlight on Omidyar Network
“Tech and its role in our society are fast moving, and yet critical questions remain unsettled… Together, we can help answer them” – Mike Kubzansky, CEO, Omidyar Network.
As the rapid development of AI shapes how we live, work and interact, many are calling for a more representative digital technology system. We are seeing a growing awareness of the need to look at AI's social impacts and elevate a range of voices in its development and governance.
“There is an extraordinary, unique, and time-limited window — and imperative — to act now”, explains Mike Kubzansky. “We believe that, together, we can create a world where digital tech creates the conditions for shared power...where people are at the centre of decisions — not products, ads, clicks, shareholders, chips, investors, or founders. Tech that serves all of us.”
Omidyar Network is a philanthropic organisation whose mission is to shape the digital revolution toward shared power, prosperity, and possibility. As sponsors of Trust Conference, we are working together to explore the ethical challenges of AI's increasing integration into our digital landscape.
READ: How African NGOs are working to close the gender gap in tech | Devex
LISTEN: Britain's multibillion-pound equal pay scandal | The Guardian Audio Long Read
We are the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. We leverage our media, legal and data-driven expertise to strengthen independent journalism, enable access to the law and promote responsible business.
