Articles

WSIS +10 2nd phase

The second phase of the open consultations on the 2013 World Summit on the Information Society multistakeholder review event (WSIS+10) is now launched. You are invited to contribute to online discussions on the WSIS Knowledge Communities platform (WSIS KC) on themes, format and the process leading to the 2013 WSIS+10 review event. This multistakeholder and high-level event will be co-organized by UNESCO, ITU, UNDP and UNCTAD and will take place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 25 to 27 February 2013.

The first WSIS+10 review event with an analysis of trends and possible recommendations will be an integral part of the overall WSIS review process. Outcomes will feed directly into the subsequent review meetings and into the 2015 UNGA overall review. Results will also be reported to UNESCO’s Executive Board and to the 37th session of the General Conference of UNESCO (November 2013).

The intention is also to integrate findings into the UN MDGs review process and into a possible post-2015 sustainable development framework.

Recent developments, trends and vision

Read more...

Press Release 2012

November 8th, 2012

Egypt - Blocking internet websites a new step towards suppression of freedom of expression

Virtual Activism has learnt with great concern of the Egyptian public prosecutor’s decision on November 7^th 2012, to “block internet porn sites” and any images or visuals that “threaten the values and morals of the Egyptian family and national security”.

Several issues need to be taken into consideration:

1- From previous international experiences content control has never been successful and in fact has had a reverse effect.

2- Allowing internet censorship because of ‘pornography’ opens the door for further censorship of the web.

3- Defining what is or is not pornographic or a ‘threat to the morality of the family’ is a relative matter. If left undefined it will lead to censoring any form of free speech and expression depending on the censor’s whims or set of beliefs.

4- The loose wording of ‘threat to national security’ has always been used as an excuse to further curb free expression.

Internet Wishing Tree

Write comment (0 Comments)

Enemies of the Internet report by Reporters without Borders

This report, which presents the 2012 list of countries that are “Enemies of the Internet” and “under surveillance,” updates the report published on 12 March 2011.

Attachments:
Reporters without Borders: Enemies of the Internet 2012	1289 Kb

Letter to Congress regarding SOPA

On 15 November, over 60 civil and human rights organizations, including Virtual Activism, wrote a letter to Congress urging the rejection of SOPA [Stop Online Piracy Act ]. The following is part of the text of the letter sent to Congress:

Re: H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act
Dear Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Conyers,

As press freedom and human rights advocates, we write to express our deep concern with H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).

Attachments:
sopa_civilsociety_15Nov_2011.pdf	108 Kb

tranquility