Shrinking or expanding access to civic space? The consequences of hate speech, threats and harassment within Swedish civil society

Scaramuzzino, Gabriella

doi:10.1080/17448689.2023.2255693

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 35 publications

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“…NGOs requires conducive civic space for them to function effectively. The current debate shows concern by uncovering how the civic space around the globe is shrinking progressively even in liberal democracies (Lutscher and Ketchley, 2023; Scaramuzzino, 2023).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advocacy non-governmental organizations (NGOs) resiliency to shrinking civic space in Tanzania

Rugeiyamu,

Nguyahambi

2023

JHASS

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PurposeThe world is experiencing democratic backsliding such that the situation is down back to 1986. This has resulted in the global shrinking of civic space for civil society organizations (CSOs). NGOs engaging in advocacy activities are seen to be among the CSOs affected. Using four NGOs cases from Tanzania, the study contributes to the civic space debate by uncovering how advocacy NGOs become resilient.Design/methodology/approachThe study is anchored in interpretivism and a cross-sectional case study design, following a qualitative approach path. Data were collected through interviews and a documentary review.FindingsResults show that several strategies such as complying, building community back-up, collaboration, strategic litigation, using digital media and changing the scope are applied. However, strategies face obstacles including scope limitations, expected democratic roles, high cost, changes in the scope and being outsmarted by the government, and hence their effectiveness is questionable.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focused on advocacy NGOs. More studies can be conducted for other advocacy-related CSOs on how they become resilient.Practical implicationsWhile NGOs are allowed to exist in the country, their freedom continue to be curtailed. Even the effectiveness of resiliency becomes temporary and depends on the political will of the existing regime.Originality/valueTanzania NGOs have to build strong bonds with citizens, expand the scope of strategies and use deliberative democratic principles to educate the government to change laws and tolerate plural political culture. Also, NGOs in other countries with confined civic space can apply the same.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advocacy non-governmental organizations (NGOs) resiliency to shrinking civic space in Tanzania

Rugeiyamu,

Nguyahambi

2023

JHASS

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Critical Intercultural Communication and the Public Sphere: Theoretical Engagements with Tahakkum and Other-Interculturality

Graiouid

2024

Journal of International and Intercultural Communication

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Civic space and its effects on advocacy Non‐Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Tanzania

Rugeiyamu,

Nguyahambi

2024

Int Social Sci J

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Global trends show that the civic space is shrinking. Specifically, civic space for Civil Society Organizations draws more attention. The shrinkage is caused by increased authoritarianism and democratic backsliding. Experience shows that advocacy based Non‐Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are more affected. The situation in Tanzania is comparable to other parts of the world. However, literature in Tanzania does not establish experiences to characterize the civic space of advocacy NGOs and does not explore the effects of existing civic space on advocacy NGOs. Drawing on Tanzania, this study examines NGOs experience and the effects of civic space on their roles. This study is anchored in interpretivism and case studies, following a qualitative path. Four NGOs and 10 activists were included. Interviews and documentary reviews were used to collect data, and a thematic approach was used to analyse the data. The findings reveal that the civic spaces for advocacy NGOs is changing, unpredictable and contested. There has been negative and positive experiences due to change of political regimes. This causes advocacy NGOs to fail to have long‐term plans, increased fear, loose focus and fail to emerge as strong democratic institutions. NGOs must push for, and the government should accept constitutional, and legal changes to ensure NGOs effective functioning. This specific focus could be extended to other parts of Africa, Asia and Europe, where advocacy NGOs face the same challenges.

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Shrinking or expanding access to civic space? The consequences of hate speech, threats and harassment within Swedish civil society

Cited by 3 publications

References 35 publications

Advocacy non-governmental organizations (NGOs) resiliency to shrinking civic space in Tanzania

Advocacy non-governmental organizations (NGOs) resiliency to shrinking civic space in Tanzania

Critical Intercultural Communication and the Public Sphere: Theoretical Engagements with Tahakkum and Other-Interculturality

Civic space and its effects on advocacy Non‐Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Tanzania

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