In this live recording of our Podcast "Digital Rights Explored: Local Fights, Global Perspectives," we talked about content moderation by social media platforms taking a wrong turn. From their initial hands-off approach when it came to content, they turned to today’s invasive approach using also automated processes in making decisions. The platforms get to decide what stays up, and what gets to be taken down. What are the effects of these binary processes on us as society?

Our expert Vladimir Cortés (Article 19) shared with us the situation from Mexico where content moderation affects different groups in society. From indigenous groups by not considering their language, to LGBTQI+ activists being limited in their expressions on platforms, and journalists facing takedowns through false DMCA claims. The ground story is the personal story of Waquel Drullard, is an LGBTQI+ activist who has been using social media platforms to talk about sexual dissidence, freedom of expression and lgbtq+ rights. She has experienced how social media platforms like instagram can restrict the voices of those who openly reaffirm their sexual dissidence. Her account was taken down without the respect of due diligence to know exactly what community standard she infringed and effective tools to appeal the decision.

Our international expert is Julie Owono (Stanford Content Policy and Governance Lab ). Julie is developing a multi-stakeholder approach to content moderation in order to provide adequate responses to challenges posed by differences in culture, language, and communities. What are some of the outcomes of the research for content moderation solutions that will be respective of human rights across the globe? 

RightsCon attendees could use the chat for their questions and comments, and a select number were invited to join the live Podcast discussion with their questions and contributions. Together, in the RightsCon community, we have discussed solutions to the digital rights' violation presented, thinking from both local and context-specific solutions to global ones. We engaged in a very important discussion together, as to how to solve these issues in a more systematic manner.

Our expert speakers featured in this episode are:
Vladimir Cortés  - Digital Rights Program Officer, Article 19, Mexico
Julie Owono - executive Director, Internet Sans Frontieres (Internet Without Borders) and Executive Director, Content Policy & Society Lab, Stanford University, U.S.
Waquel Drullard - ground story, LGBTQI+ activist, Mexico

Link to Reveddit: https://www.reveddit.com
tool by Rob Hawkins, grassroots developer in the audience.
https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-view-deleted-reddit-posts/
https://www.maketecheasier.com/access-deleted-comments-reddit/

7 ways to view deleted Reddit posts and comments https://www.tinyquip.com/deleted-reddit-posts/

This episode was created by:
Host and editor: Alexandre Amaral
Producer: Ena Omerović
Co-producer: Vladimir Cortés
Consultant (partner DW Akademie): Hanna Hempel
Researcher: Gaura Naithani
Dubbing: Irene Banos Ruiz 

This is a Podcast made by the Media and Information Literacy Expert Network (MILEN) with the support of DW Akademie.