Last 13 March 2019, an inspiring evening took place at the Royal Institute of British Architects with the screening of THE CLEANERS by Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck as part of the Human Rights Watch Film Benefit.
The film was followed by a captivating panel and Q&A moderated by Jim Yardley, editor for The New York Times involving:
- Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck, THE CLEANERS
- Sarah St. Vincent, HRW Researcher/Advocate, US Program
- Carl Miller, co-founder of the first The Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at Demos
- Jennifer Robinson, Australian human rights lawyer and barrister
Though the internet has in many ways been an asset to the human rights movement, much has changed since the heady days of the “Twitter and Facebook revolution” during the 2011 Arab uprising. Mistrust of Silicon Valley is widespread. We rely on companies like Facebook to keep our data private and safe, but a lack of strong regulation has led to it being exploited. We also view social media as a source of information and a place to voice ideas, much like a public square. However, differences in regulation on free speech mean that not everyone has access to the same information or the same freedom of expression.
New technologies can threaten fundamental freedoms and economic rights. Mass surveillance enables abuses. Algorithm-based decisions in police stations, courthouses, and workplaces reproduce old forms of discrimination in new ways. Weapons could soon operate without human control. Meanwhile, digitised misinformation spreads from Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, stoking fear and demonising minorities.