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The Global Technology for Social Justice Lab (GloTech) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Social Science Research Council will host a webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. EST to discuss the findings of a new study on the future of technology and democracy programs in the global fight against misinformation.

“As we witness the rise of authoritarian regimes with diverse political leanings worldwide, we will discuss the importance of building trust networks and other strategies to support at-risk researchers and pro-democracy advocates,” says Jonathan C. Ong, professor of communication at UMass Amherst.

The study, “Custom Built / Feito Sob Medida: Reforming Tech & Democracy Programs for the Global Majority,” which was coordinated by GloTech and researchers from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, shares lessons from a yearlong research project involving tech accountability advocates, journalists and academics working in the tech and democracy space across 13 countries. 

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The report highlights the frustrations and creative aspirations of over 100 frontline actors involved in election integrity and media freedom initiatives — from Brazil and India to Kenya and the Philippines. It also sheds light on cross-border challenges in combating misinformation and explores what Global North researchers and activists can learn from their counterparts in countries with longer histories of authoritarian backsliding.

“In discussing our findings, we’ll also share insights on how researchers and activists in the Global North can adapt lessons from countries with more established experiences resisting authoritarianism,” Ong adds.

This research was made possible through the support of Luminate, the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Open Society Foundations. The authors also express gratitude to participants of the Global Majority Knowledge Exchange workshops, hosted by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in November 2023 and by UMass Amherst in April 2023 and April 2024.