The Tech Policy Press Podcast RightsCon Organizers Take Stock of What's Next After Zambia
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May 10, 2026 Nikki Gladstone, director of RightsCon who runs event planning and community engagement. Alejandro Mayoral Baños, co-executive director of Access Now with years of digital and human rights leadership. They recount the abrupt Lusaka cancellation, crisis response and diplomatic outreach. They discuss risks to local civil society, reassessing how and where global convenings can safely happen, and plans to keep the community connected.
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Team Disappointment Extended Beyond Logistics
- The cancellation hit staff emotionally and logistically, disrupting planned closing remarks and team expectations.
- Alejandro described expecting to give closing remarks and instead managing team disappointment, workload, and financial fallout.
RightsCon Collapse Began With Diplomatic Pressure
- RightsCon planning collapsed after April 27 when Chinese diplomatic pressure over Taiwanese participants surfaced.
- Nikki Gladstone described frantic crisis calls, informal rumors at immigration, and three chaotic days before Access Now canceled the event.
Public Statement Revealed Coordination And Bad Faith
- Access Now saw the government's public statement as the turning point that showed lack of good faith and coordination behind the scenes.
- Alejandro Mayoral Baños said the Ministry of Information and Media published a statement without notifying Access Now, signaling coordinated pressure.