Fortifying the Truth in the Age of Synthetic Media and Generative AI

WITNESS hosted a workshop in Bogotá, Colombia, bringing together journalists, fact-checkers, technologists, and human rights defenders from South America and Mexico to discuss the impact of generative AI and synthetic media on audiovisual witnessing. Key concerns included the use of these technologies in elections, gender-based violence, and attacks on civil society. Participants emphasized the need for legal and technical infrastructure to counteract disinformation and the importance of media literacy. The workshop highlighted the double-edged nature of AI, advocating for community-led development and inclusive tech governance to mitigate potential harms.

Violence Against Indigenous Leaders and Environmental Defenders in Abya Yala

The article is a statement from the CORAL network, expressing concern and condemnation of recent violence in Ecuador and Mexico against indigenous peoples and environmental defenders. In Ecuador, the government's push for oil production has led to the murder of Eduardo Mendúa, a defender of the Kofán people's rights. The network demands that the Ecuadorian government adhere to constitutional laws for prior consultation with indigenous communities before extractive activities. In Mexico, the disappearance of Ricardo Arturo Lagunes Gasca and Antonio Díaz Valencia, who were supporting indigenous communities against mining, highlights the issue of impunity in crimes against territory guardians. The network calls for an end to violence against indigenous leaders, respect for self-determination, initiation of consultation processes, and guarantees of security and justice for victims and their communities.

Responsible Practices for Synthetic Media Framework Published by Partnership on AI and WITNESS

The Partnership on AI, in collaboration with WITNESS and other allies, has released the Responsible Practices for Synthetic Media Framework. This document provides guidelines for ethically developing, creating, sharing, and publishing synthetic media. It addresses the roles of various stakeholders in the synthetic media pipeline, from developers to distributors, emphasizing the need for responsible practices to prevent harm. The Framework also discusses the importance of disclosure mechanisms, such as labeling and provenance-capturing technologies, to inform users about AI-created or edited media. WITNESS has contributed to shaping the Framework, reflecting global threats and promoting accountability. The document is not a legal framework but aims to guide the development of enforceable human rights-based principles for synthetic media. It is a living document, open to continuous discussion and evolution, and is part of a broader effort to prepare for the challenges of synthetic media and uphold truth in the digital age.

Razia Sultana: Championing the Rights of Rohingya Women

Razia Sultana, a Rohingya lawyer, activist, and educator, has been advocating for the rights of Rohingya refugees, particularly women and girls who are survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. She has documented their stories through reports like 'Rape by Command' and 'The Killing Fields of Aletankyew', highlighting the systematic use of sexual violence by the Myanmar military. Razia is involved with various organizations, including the Free Rohingya Coalition and the Rights for Women Welfare Society. She has also contributed to psycho-social support programs and has spoken at the UN Security Council. Despite challenges, including community stigma and personal sacrifices, Razia continues her work, emphasizing the importance of women's empowerment and the use of video documentation in legal advocacy. The article was published on International Women's Day 2022, underscoring the plight of Rohingya women and the ongoing efforts to document and address the violence they have endured.

The rubber hits the road: From niche to potentially systematic use of provenance and authenticity infrastructure

The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) has released version 1.0 of its Technical Specifications, aiming to establish a system for tracking the source and history of digital media to combat misinformation and disinformation. WITNESS, an organization that has been advocating for human rights for three decades, has influenced the development of these specifications to ensure they empower global users and address human rights concerns. The specifications allow for the creation of tools that can verify the authenticity of digital content, which is crucial for activists and journalists in high-risk environments. However, there are concerns about privacy, security, and accessibility, as well as the potential misuse of the technology. WITNESS has co-chaired the Threats and Harms Taskforce within the C2PA to assess and mitigate potential harms. The organization continues to advocate for a diverse and inclusive C2PA ecosystem that supports human rights defenders and civic journalists worldwide.

Media responses to SGBV

The article, co-authored by Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, discusses the impact of misinformation and disinformation on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Africa. It highlights how these false narratives contribute to a culture of silence and shame, impede access to justice, and target human rights defenders. The article also addresses the role of technology in facilitating gendered disinformation, such as the creation of non-consensual deepfakes. WITNESS has launched a media literacy campaign, #VerifyBeforeSharing, to combat misinformation and disinformation. The article further explores the legal aspects of freedom of expression and the challenges faced by women and sexual minorities in accessing justice. It emphasizes the importance of consent education and the need to change societal misconceptions about rape. The Stand To End Rape (STER) Initiative is mentioned as an organization working to amplify women's voices and protect them both online and offline. The authors, Nkem Agunwa and Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, are introduced with their respective backgrounds and contributions to the fight against SGBV.

Building an Authenticity Infrastructure for Civic Journalism and Human Rights

The article discusses WITNESS's involvement in developing an authenticity infrastructure to combat misinformation and disinformation in digital media. WITNESS has been working on defending the truth against deceptive media for over a decade and has recently focused on handling new forms of manipulation like deepfakes. They advocate for a human rights-led, global approach and have contributed to the Content Authenticity Initiative and the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). The C2PA, led by major tech companies and organizations, is creating technical specifications for tracing the provenance and authenticity of digital assets. WITNESS emphasizes the need to ensure these technologies do not harm human rights or vulnerable communities and stresses the importance of privacy, trust, and freedom of expression. They are currently co-chairing the Threats and Harms Taskforce to assess potential harms and develop strategies for prevention or mitigation.

16-days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2021: Uplifting Community-Led Data Collection Initiatives

The article discusses the importance of community-led data collection initiatives in uncovering the scope of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the United States. It highlights the limitations of official records, which may be incomplete or distorted due to survivors' fear of coming forward, biased reporting, or police perpetration. The Sovereign Bodies Institute's database on missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people (MMIWG2) is featured, along with their work on intersectional issues and advocacy tools. The collaboration between the Human Rights Data Analysis Group and the Invisible Institute, 'Beneath the Surface', is also discussed, focusing on police sexual violence and the challenges in categorizing and reporting such incidents. Additionally, Kilómetro 0's efforts in tracking femicides in Puerto Rico and their analysis for public policy recommendations are mentioned. The article underscores the need for ethical data collection and the role of grassroots organizations in effecting change.

¿Por qué crear nuestro propio modelo de desarrollo?

Jacobo Castellanos discusses the importance of creating a development model that reflects the cultural practices and realities of Latin America. He uses the example of the 'minga,' a communal work tradition in Ecuador, to illustrate how local customs can be the foundation for development. The 'minga' represents solidarity and reciprocity within a community, transcending racial and socioeconomic distinctions. While 'mingas' are common in several South American countries, only Peru has institutionalized this practice through the government initiative under Fernando Belaúnde Terry, which significantly improved the country's infrastructure. Castellanos argues that Latin America must look inward and develop models based on its own cultural practices, history, and potential, rather than adopting imported models that do not fit the region's reality.