This letter from Latin American civil society organizations expresses support for discussions among MERCOSUR member states regarding mass surveillance practices. It notes concerns about systematic monitoring of communications without oversight or accountability. The letter calls for a transparent, participatory process to regulate the internet in a way that ensures freedom of expression, universal access, an open network structure, privacy protections, and free flow of information. It urges MERCOSUR governments to establish forums for dialogue with civil society and experts to make decisions about internet policy and regulation that preserve these principles while also studying national security systems to ensure compliance with international human rights standards.
My presentation at the IGov2 conference at the University of Oslo, 9 Sept 2014. Gave shorter version at Norwegian Board of Technology hearing on 10 Sept 2014. Related journal article at http://ijlit.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/09/01/ijlit.eau007.abstract
Audio at http://www.jus.uio.no/ifp/english/research/projects/nrccl/internet-governance/events/dag-2-del-2-norrm-mp3.mp3
Supporting the global efforts in strengthening the safety, security and resilience of Cyberspace, the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum 2013, organised by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation. The ceremonial opening examined how Cyberspace could be governed and utilised in a manner to foster freedom and entrepreneurship, while protecting individuals, property and the state, leading to socio-economic development. Speakers of this session, Mr Mario Maniewicz, Chief, Department of Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications, ITU; Mr David Pollington, Director, International Security Relations, Microsoft; Mr Alexander Seger, Secretary, Cybercrime Convention Committee, Council of Europe; Mr Nigel Hickson, Vice President, Europe, ICANN and Mr Pierre Dandjinou, Vice President, Africa, ICANN, added their perspectives on various approaches to Cybergovernance, with general agreement on the role Cyberspace could play to facilitate development equitably and fairly across the world.
Hosted by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cameroon together with the Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Cameroon and backed by partners and industry supporters including ICANN, Council of Europe, Microsoft, MTN Cameroon, AFRINIC and Internet Watch Foundation, the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum 2013 seeks to broaden stakeholder dialogue to facilitate practical action in Cybergovernance and Cybersecurity, some of which will be reflected in the CTO’s own work programmes under its Cybersecurity agenda.
My presentation at the IGov2 conference at the University of Oslo, 9 Sept 2014. Gave shorter version at Norwegian Board of Technology hearing on 10 Sept 2014. Related journal article at http://ijlit.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/09/01/ijlit.eau007.abstract
Audio at http://www.jus.uio.no/ifp/english/research/projects/nrccl/internet-governance/events/dag-2-del-2-norrm-mp3.mp3
Supporting the global efforts in strengthening the safety, security and resilience of Cyberspace, the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum 2013, organised by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation. The ceremonial opening examined how Cyberspace could be governed and utilised in a manner to foster freedom and entrepreneurship, while protecting individuals, property and the state, leading to socio-economic development. Speakers of this session, Mr Mario Maniewicz, Chief, Department of Infrastructure, Enabling Environment and E-Applications, ITU; Mr David Pollington, Director, International Security Relations, Microsoft; Mr Alexander Seger, Secretary, Cybercrime Convention Committee, Council of Europe; Mr Nigel Hickson, Vice President, Europe, ICANN and Mr Pierre Dandjinou, Vice President, Africa, ICANN, added their perspectives on various approaches to Cybergovernance, with general agreement on the role Cyberspace could play to facilitate development equitably and fairly across the world.
Hosted by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cameroon together with the Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Cameroon and backed by partners and industry supporters including ICANN, Council of Europe, Microsoft, MTN Cameroon, AFRINIC and Internet Watch Foundation, the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Forum 2013 seeks to broaden stakeholder dialogue to facilitate practical action in Cybergovernance and Cybersecurity, some of which will be reflected in the CTO’s own work programmes under its Cybersecurity agenda.
The Future Agenda: Digitising Democracy and the Fake News SagaSharala Axryd
In what the New York Times called a “political earthquake”, the unseating of Barisan
Nasional’s 60-year grip on federal politics in Malaysia subverted expectations. Most
analysts predicted a comfortable margin of victory for the incumbent BN government due
to the structural and institutional factors to their advantage, yet the strength of Pakatan
Harapan’s victory flew in the face of most predictions. In that respect, Malaysia’s 14th
General Election saw more parallels with the recent US Presidential Election than one
would expect.
An ever-present theme in recent elections across the globe has been on the impact of
technology and expanding media in shaping and gauging the decisions of voters. The
furore surrounding Cambridge Analytica, for instance, revealed the extent to which our
personal actions on the Internet and, in particular, social media could be used to identify
specific behavioural traits. These traits, in turn, were hugely valuable to political parties
aiming to target and convince voters of particular campaign messages. Beyond the use of
technology in predicting and shaping electoral outcomes, this session aims to explore the
ways in which new emerging technologies shape the way citizens participate in our
democratic processes.
As Malaysia moves forward with this new administration, what is our role in making our
democracy tick? In this session we will hear from civil society groups that are actively
empowering citizens to play their parts in keeping the government on its toes. Largely
through the implementation of open-access data, there is now a growing ability to
participate in democracy by function of new technology. By speaking to media
practitioners and researchers, we will delve into how recent technological developments
are altering the way we consume media. Finally, with individuals now increasingly plugged
into the digital ecosystem, we speak to political parties to understand how the presence of
big data is helping them understand, shape and predict their electorate.
• How will governance in Malaysia evolve with the emergence of new technologies that
disrupt the existing mass communication networks?
• With Twitter, Malaysiakini, and WhatsApp, how will Malaysians access and use
information about our democracy in the future?
• As individuals with political biases in our own silos, how should we read the news?
Day 2: Openness: building commitment to openness, Mr. Robert Reeves, Deputy C...wepc2016
It is perhaps too early to say that openness is ‘business as usual’ for parliaments, but it is certainly clear that making information accessible to people outside parliament is increasingly happening in digital, and specifically machine-readable, ways. The session will explore new and emerging forms of commitment to openness in legislation and parliamentary rules and practices.
Presentation by Christian D'Cunha at the 2019 CMPF Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners - Covering Political Campaigns in the Age of Data, Algorithms & Artificial Intelligence
"Political Parties, Public Policy and Democratic Participation Conference" - Center left parties Leader's Policy Forum - Becici / Budva, Montenegro - June 29 – July 1, 2012
The free legal info landscape: treacherous quagmire or inspiring view? Emily Allbon
Talk from Justice Wide Open: courts and legal information in the digital age. This event for lawyers, journalists and academics, was held by the Centre for Law, Justice and Journalism at City University on 29th February 2012.
The Future Agenda: Digitising Democracy and the Fake News SagaSharala Axryd
In what the New York Times called a “political earthquake”, the unseating of Barisan
Nasional’s 60-year grip on federal politics in Malaysia subverted expectations. Most
analysts predicted a comfortable margin of victory for the incumbent BN government due
to the structural and institutional factors to their advantage, yet the strength of Pakatan
Harapan’s victory flew in the face of most predictions. In that respect, Malaysia’s 14th
General Election saw more parallels with the recent US Presidential Election than one
would expect.
An ever-present theme in recent elections across the globe has been on the impact of
technology and expanding media in shaping and gauging the decisions of voters. The
furore surrounding Cambridge Analytica, for instance, revealed the extent to which our
personal actions on the Internet and, in particular, social media could be used to identify
specific behavioural traits. These traits, in turn, were hugely valuable to political parties
aiming to target and convince voters of particular campaign messages. Beyond the use of
technology in predicting and shaping electoral outcomes, this session aims to explore the
ways in which new emerging technologies shape the way citizens participate in our
democratic processes.
As Malaysia moves forward with this new administration, what is our role in making our
democracy tick? In this session we will hear from civil society groups that are actively
empowering citizens to play their parts in keeping the government on its toes. Largely
through the implementation of open-access data, there is now a growing ability to
participate in democracy by function of new technology. By speaking to media
practitioners and researchers, we will delve into how recent technological developments
are altering the way we consume media. Finally, with individuals now increasingly plugged
into the digital ecosystem, we speak to political parties to understand how the presence of
big data is helping them understand, shape and predict their electorate.
• How will governance in Malaysia evolve with the emergence of new technologies that
disrupt the existing mass communication networks?
• With Twitter, Malaysiakini, and WhatsApp, how will Malaysians access and use
information about our democracy in the future?
• As individuals with political biases in our own silos, how should we read the news?
Day 2: Openness: building commitment to openness, Mr. Robert Reeves, Deputy C...wepc2016
It is perhaps too early to say that openness is ‘business as usual’ for parliaments, but it is certainly clear that making information accessible to people outside parliament is increasingly happening in digital, and specifically machine-readable, ways. The session will explore new and emerging forms of commitment to openness in legislation and parliamentary rules and practices.
Presentation by Christian D'Cunha at the 2019 CMPF Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners - Covering Political Campaigns in the Age of Data, Algorithms & Artificial Intelligence
"Political Parties, Public Policy and Democratic Participation Conference" - Center left parties Leader's Policy Forum - Becici / Budva, Montenegro - June 29 – July 1, 2012
The free legal info landscape: treacherous quagmire or inspiring view? Emily Allbon
Talk from Justice Wide Open: courts and legal information in the digital age. This event for lawyers, journalists and academics, was held by the Centre for Law, Justice and Journalism at City University on 29th February 2012.
E-wizerunek. Internet jako narzędzie kreowania image'u w biznesieWydawnictwo Helion
Lustereczko, powiedz przecie,
kto jest najwspanialszy w necie?
* Tworzenie i wykorzystywanie odpowiedniego wizerunku oraz zarabianie na nim
* Budowanie pożądanych marek bez wielkich nakładów finansowych
* Interaktywne relacje z klientami
* Wykorzystanie Internetu do rozwoju biznesu
* Narzędzia kreowania wizerunku w sieci
Jak Cię widzą (w sieci), tak Cię piszą
Internet jest nie tylko rewolucyjnym medium, pierwszym o naprawdę masowym zasięgu działania. Stanowi on przede wszystkim fascynujący alternatywny świat. Działa jak magnes, co roku przyciągając nowych użytkowników. Niczym używka, wciąż odnotowuje wydłużenie czasu kontaktu z odbiorcą. I last but not least — Internet to niekończący się pasaż handlowy, wymarzone miejsce spotkań podaży i popytu.
Poznaj specyfikę światowej sieci WWW i znajdź w niej właściwe miejsce dla Twojej marki. E-marketing rządzi się własnymi prawami — z jednej strony bezustannie stawia firmy przed nowymi wyzwaniami, z drugiej zaś stale kreuje nowe narzędzia dotarcia do klienta. A są one naprawdę fascynujące: możliwość dowolnej personalizacji przekazu, olbrzymia ilość kanałów, a przede wszystkim atrakcyjne społeczności — ludzie młodzi, aktywni, hobbyści, biznesmeni oraz entuzjaści nowinek. Mogą oni zostać ambasadorami Twojej marki, ale mogą też ją zniszczyć. Dlatego musisz poznać zasady rządzące Internetem i jego społecznościami, a następnie zacząć budować instrumenty wywierania wpływu i wykorzystać je dla dobra Twojego produktu.
Internet ma przyszłość!
* Czym jest e-wizerunek i jak wpływa na sukces firm, produktów i ludzi?
* Narzędzia budowania image’u — strona WWW, fora internetowe, newslettery i inne.
* Sześć zasad skutecznego kreowania e-wizerunku.
* Grzechy główne działań internetowych.
* Marka jako efekt przemyślanej strategii wizerunkowej.
* Case studies
Internet rights are the rights that individuals have using the Internet.
They are an extension of human rights in the online world.
These rights include freedom of expression, privacy, access to information, and non-discrimination.
Legal Framework of Online Media: A Perspective for Online Journalists, Online...Social Media Exchange
This is draft chapter of a report that was never published for the Doha Centre for Media Freedom on the emerging legal framework for free expression online in the Arab region. It is currently being updated as a part of SMEX Arab Digital Rights Datasets initiative. Comments welcome.
The Council of Europe works with governments, the private sector, civil society and other actors to shape the Internet
as a safe and open environment where freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, diversity, culture and education can flourish. In line with its overall mission, the ultimate aim of its Internet-related action is to protect and promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
An Overview of the Battle for the Control of the InternetDibussi Tande
Presentation to a joint/plenary session of the 16th Highway Africa Conference and the 3rd World Conference of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) in Grahamstown, South Africa, September 10, 2012.
(EN) A Cypher-Indigenous Manifesto & InterpretationMycelia1
A Cypher-Indigenous Manifesto acknowledges the importance of privacy and decentralized technologies for Indigenous Peoples and calls for a collective action with the international community to protect and expand their right to self-determination as stated in the United Nations Declaration of 2007 (UNDRIP).
La utopía tecnológica de ciudades más participativas e inclusivas con la ayuda de la tecnología se reduce a añicos cuando precisamente esas tecnologías se despliegan para el propósito contrario, cuando erosionan derechos fundamentales en lugar de avanzarlos. Los sistemas de vigilancia locales están expandiéndose rápidamente por Latinoamérica, pero poco se hace para explora y avanzar el potencial social de la transformación digital . Mucho antes y mucho más rápido que los marcos regulatorios de protección de la privacidad y de datos personales adecuados, avanzan sistemas de control de comportamiento urbano; sin mecanismos democráticos, consultas comunitarias o vecinales para determinar su necesidad e idoneidad. Se trata de sistemas sofisticados y efímeros, que requieren actualizaciones y mantenimientos costosos y reportan beneficios vagos. La capa digital debe, y puede, ser mucho más que un sistema de cámaras y eficiencia y es precisamente esa esfera la que debemos exigir, ocupar, aprovechar. Herramientas de voz, de participación, de interacción y cocreación con las demás personas son el futuro que queremos crear.
Comunicado de prensa Reforma Ley de ComunicacionesRenata Avila
Comunicado de Prensa emitido por el Sr.Frank LaRue, Relator Especial de Naciones Unidas sobre Libertad de Opinión y Expresión, sobre la Ley de Frecuencias aprobada el día
20 de noviembre por el Congreso de la República de Guatemala.
Comunicado de prensa Reforma Ley de Comunicaciones
Mercosur.en
1. Friday, 12 July 2013
To the Presidents of the member states of MERCOSUR:
We are writing to you as a coalition of organizations representing Latin American civil society, experts
and academics, mainly from the member countries of Mercosur, in order to express our support for the
initiative by Latin American leaders to discuss the worrisome monitoring to which millions of citizens
from around the world are subjected by means of the systematic collection of communications data. This
monitoring is being done without due process or a framework contingent on controls and accountability.
We consider it a positive development that the highest authorities recognize the importance of privacy
as an essential condition of the exercise of other rights, that go beyond freedom of expression, as
declared by Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Frank La Rue in the report he presented to the
UN Human Rights Council (a body on which sit three members of Mercosur).
It is for this reason that we wish to lend our voices to this concerted effort, with the hope that Latin
America can serve as a model of the kind of regulation that respects and allows for greater exercise of
human rights. The issue of espionage that we are facing is also an opportunity for civil society and
governments to devise together a regional policy that will enables us to maximize the potential of new
technologies while at the same time protecting individuals.
To that end, we support the initiative of various countries to begin a transparent and participatory
process to regulate the Internet according to the following basic principles:
• Expression: Ensure that the fundamental guarantee of freedom of expression applies with equal
force to all means of expression, including Internet communication.
• Access: Promote universal access to rapid and affordable networks as a means of strengthening
democratic participation by citizens and the fair exchange of knowledge and information.
• Gateway: The Internet must continue to be an open network where everyone is free to connect,
communicate, write, read, see, say, listen, learn, create and innovate.
• Privacy: Protect the privacy of individuals and defend their right to their personal information,
communication, and devices.
• Flow of information: Permit the free flow of information as a guarantee of the principles
enumerated above, safeguarding them with regulation that guarantees the right to privacy and that
outlaws the collection, use, and transfer of personal data when not specifically authorized by the
holder of the data or by due legal process.
Through civil society we offer technical support and follow-up and active participation and dialogue in
order to secure these principles. This will help us overcome the crisis provoked by the flagrant and
systematic violation of human rights recognized in articles 17 and 19 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights as well as in articles 12 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
these being the basis for publications regarding the practices of the United States National Security
Agency (NSA) and some of its allies.
The introduction of monitoring systems at the heart of global digital communications seriously threatens
human rights in the digital age. This is why civil society in Latin America is urging our representatives to
establish a mechanism by which we can ensure broad, profound and transparent debate throughout all
society, to transform our region into a model of liberty and respect for human rights. We request that
the member states of Mercosur act proactively in the face of actions by the NSA, without adopting hasty
or premature measures that would affect free and open Internet architecture.
2. In light of the foregoing, we entreat the governments of Mercosur to set up conversational forums with
civil society, experts, businesses and other actors in order to make the best decisions about Internet
regulation—ones that will preserve these principles, implement policy to secure human rights in a
democratic and participatory manner and, at the same time, conduct a study of the national security and
monitoring systems in order to compel them to comply with the international framework for human
rights, especially those associated with the principle of due process.
Translated by Victoria Robertson