Internet freedom under threat from hasty legislation in UK and US…Reported with relish by the Voice of Russia

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3rd May 2012. See article from english.ruvr.ru

A representative for freedom of the media at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said that governments across the world are posing a threat to internet freedom. The governments in the US and UK, known for their willingness to blame their political partners for violating human rights and freedoms, have turned out to be particular tough in suppressing internet freedom. The OSCE says that one of major threats to internet freedom is inability of governments to adopt effective laws. Dunja Mijatovic, the representative for freedom of the media for the OSCE, thinks that governments are still trying to restrict or suppress internet freedom and censor online content. Practically complete internet freedom is a matter of deep concerns for governments both in the developing countries, where opposition bloggers and journalists are often persecuted, and in the leading western democracies. All attempts to censor online content are usually described as measures taken as part of the war on cyberterrorism. The US and the UK have been particularly active in using this term to justify their tough online censorship. Offsite Article 2nd May 2012.See article from guardian.co.uk Head of global media observation group, OSCE, says many countries are trying to restrict internet freedom in name of security …Read the full article

Except for Filesharers?…OSCE calls for a human right to internet access

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Based on article from digitaltrends.com

A new report from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) says Internet access should be a fundamental human right, like freedom of expression.The study also argues that Internet blocking and content filtering mandates and technologies are, in most cases, cannot be reconciled with the free flow of information and freedom of expression, both of which are basic commitments made by the 56 members of the OSCE. Everyone should have a right to participate in the information society and states have a responsibility to ensure citizens access to the Internet is guaranteed,’ the report reads. The study, authored by Istabul Bilgi University’s Yaman Akdeniz and commissions by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic’ examines the level of Internet content regulation in the OSCE region and evaluations how member states’ laws embody their OSCE commitments and international standards. Legislation in many countries does not recognize that freedom of expression and freedom of the media equally apply to Internet as a modern means of exercising these rights, said Representative Mijatovic’, in a statement. In some of our states, ‘extremism, terrorist propaganda, harmful content, and hate speech are vaguely defined and may be widely interpreted to ban speech types that Internet users may not deem illegal.’ The report also noted that many countries permit the complete suspension of Internet access and services during a declared state of emergency, war, or in response to other security threats. Foreign Office to discuss UK policy on freedom of expression on the internet Based on article from computing.co.uk The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will host a multidisciplinary meeting next week exploring the UK’s policy towards freedom of expression on the internet. The first meeting, which will be led by Jeremy Browne, minister for state at the FCO, takes place on 20 July. It will include representatives from human rights campaigners. No doubt the meeting will discuss how Britain’s three strikes and your cut off from the internet stacks up with the call for a human right to internet access.