of privacy are not considered very important. To this end, MISA is collaborating with Privacy International to research and campaign for freedom of expression online. Through this partnership we have joined a network of global partners (researchers, human rights advocates and privacy and technology experts) from over 20 countries to: • understand the privacy discourse and identify challenges faced in advancing the right to privacy across the globe; • find opportunities to collaborate on research and advocacy initiatives; and • share experiences and best practices on research, dissemination and advocacy strategies to influence policy change. Journalists, bloggers and private citizens are increasingly using online platforms, social networks and mobile devices to express themselves on a wide range of issues. In 2013, therefore, MISA surveyed journalists, bloggers, human rights activists, academics, technology experts and students to gauge their understanding of the risks and threats they face when using digital media in their line of work. Freedom of Expression Online Regional Dialogue and Workshop MISA is using this research to develop simple protocols and identify the best tools for protecting themselves and their work. One of the main ways in which we did this in 2013 was through a regional dialogue on freedom of expression online, which attracted leaders in the media and information and communication technology industry in southern Africa. Dr. Sarah Chiumbu, a media activist, researcher and lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, opened the dialogue with her keynote address on the implications of new media for freedom of expression. She posited that in this day and age, it was no longer a question of whether or not we are being watched – “I think we have come to accept it and think it is normal” – but rather, who is watching us? This set the scene for a discussion on a range of more specific issues, questions and practical considerations within this broader topic, including standards and ethics in online and citizen journalism; online security and privacy; Internet regulation and governance; and managing digital transformation in newsrooms. On the second day we held a practical workshop on Internet privacy and security, familiarising participants with online publishing and security tools that can help facilitate freedom of expression in cyberspace by improving work efficiency, facilitating access to broader audiences, enabling access to blocked or banned information and enabling online anonymity and protection. Freedonm of Expression Online, Regional Dialogue and Workshop, conducted by MISA in Johanesburg in September 2013. Photo: MISA Regional Secretariat images, 2013. 35