18 February 2026: To empower communities with career possibilities Digital Rights Frontlines  (DRF) has entered a strategic partnership with Digital Skills Africa  that will support the newly launched DRF Academy . DRF’s flagship skills development and employment pathway initiative. Through this collaboration, Digital Skills Africa will serve as a support center partner. Contributing to certification pathways, technical guidance, and ecosystem linkages that will strengthen th

In South Sudan , radio remains the most trusted and accessible source of information. While internet penetration and use of social media are growing for peacebuilding and civic participation, both broadcast and online media remain a breeding ground  for hate speech, misinformation, and incitement to violence. Specifically on community radio stations, funding cuts  combined with limited professional training and editorial independence have increased the risk of misinformation,

By Pricilla Ijur More than just information, data is power. But in the absence of clear legal safeguards and effective oversight, this data is vulnerable to misuse, abuse, and exploitation. Institutions rely on data to plan, regulate, and deliver services while businesses rely on it to innovate and grow. Citizens, in turn, need their data to be handled responsibly to safeguard their dignity, privacy, and security. Across South Sudan, personal data, including names, phone numb

26 January 2026: Digital Rights Frontlines  (DRF) has entered a strategic partnership with Cisco Networking Academy  aimed at expanding access to digital skills training and strengthening South Sudan’s digital ecosystem. This collaboration brings together Digital Rights Frontlines’ grassroots expertise in digital literacy with Cisco Networking Academy’s globally recognized IT education and skills development programs. Through the partnership, participants will gain access to

By Ochaya Jackson Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has continued to navigate a turbulent political landscape fraught with instability and communal tensions. The digital space has emerged  as a reflection of this volatility, as well as its primary amplifier. Here, misinformation, hate speech, and disinformation surge, stirring confusion and communal conflict. A 2023 Digital Rights Frontlines  (DRF, former DefyHate Now South Sudan) study finding  revealed that disinf

25 November 2025 : To advance South Sudan’s digital resilience, Digital Rights Frontlines  has entered a partnership with PECB  that will bring globally recognised ISO/IEC 27001 training to local professionals. This collaboration enables access to world-class information security training delivered by expert, accredited trainers. PECB has built a strong reputation for its expertise in delivering ISO standard training courses worldwide. “This agreement celebrates a strong par

Data is often misunderstood as a singular representation of a statistical score attributed to an item or activity. In this case, data is a pattern of human behaviour. A digital footprint offering a window into someone's personality. It shows what we like, what we ignore, how we speak, and how we respond to the world around us. These small signals tell a story about each person. What many do not realise is that these stories can be altered, hidden, or removed without the owner

Reflections from the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2025

South Sudan is inching closer to formalising the Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Bill 2024 , a defining moment in shaping the nation’s digital future. The bill, which aims to address the growing challenges of cyberbullying, impersonation, digital fraud, hate speech, and emerging threats from artificial intelligence (AI), represents a critical opportunity but also carries significant risks if not approached with a human rights lens. We at Digital Rights Frontlines believe that

University of Juba’s Student Visit to the National Communication Authority

Takeaways from the EACO General Assembly in Juba

Campaign: Youth For Peace And Unity In Sudan On Thursday, 28 August 2025, the Sudanese Youth Network  (Juba Office), in partnership with Scenius Hub  and the Vision Center for Legal Studies , held the second activity of the campaign “Generational Vision: Youth for Peace and Unity in Sudan” at the Gorom Refugee Settlement in Juba. The day was carefully designed to blend dialogue, cultural celebration, recreation, and learning, with the aim of strengthening peace, building trus

Information disorder the spread of false, misleading, or harmful content has become one of the greatest threats to peace, security, and public trust in South Sudan. In a fragile context where social tensions and intercommunal conflicts persist, unchecked misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation can quickly inflame divisions, fuel violence, and undermine institutions. The rapid uptake of digital platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok has made it easier for

By Ochaya Jackson & George Gumikiriza Participants and guests pose for a group photo during a roundtable on policy brief on understanding the level of awareness, impact, and mechanisms of combating misinformation, disinformation and hate speech in South Sudan. In an era where misinformation fuels division and threatens peace, digital literacy and responsible reporting have never been more critical. Yesterday, we, at Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF), in collaboration with Journ

On 17 March 2025, we at Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF), together with key partners, raised serious concern about the alarming rise of hate speech, misinformation, and online incitement to violence in South Sudan. Content spreading on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter) is fueling tensions, deepening mistrust, and creating conditions for violent retaliation. Dehumanising messages, including ethnic slurs, stereotypes, and graphic content, con

As Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF) embarks on a new chapter, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible contributions of the outgoing board members of #defyhatenow South Sudan and celebrate the incoming leadership that will guide our mission forward. Since the establishment of #defyhatenow South Sudan in 2019, the outgoing board members have demonstrated unwavering commitment and exceptional leadership in advancing our organization’s mission. Their vision and dedication ha

We are excited to share the official rebranding of our organization. What was once known as #defyhatenow South Sudan  is now Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF) . This change represents a significant evolution in our mission, scope, and commitment to promoting digital rights, combating disinformation, and fostering safer online spaces globally. A Brief History of #defyhatenow #defyhatenow South Sudan was initiated in 2014 by r0g_agency for open culture and critical transformation