Third "World Day against Internet Censorship"
On the occasion of the "World Day against Internet Censorship" on Friday, March 12, Reporters Without Borders (ROG) warns of increasing threats to freedom of expression and information on the Internet.
The Internet is increasingly becoming the venue for the battle for access to free information. A growing number of states are attempting to extend their online controls. At the same time, the group of inventive, supportive internet users who are mobilizing against online surveillance is growing, according to ROG.
On the occasion of the "World Day against Internet Censorship", ROG has published the latest "Enemies of the Internet" report. On the one hand, more and more governments are trying to tighten internet censorship. On the other hand, more and more activists are taking action against political oppression on the Internet. For example, they are trying to demonstrate and mobilize others via social network platforms such as Twitter.
In other countries, companies have better internet connections and access to media, which could have positive consequences for the population. Internet censorship should therefore also be seen as an obstacle to global trade, as the ROG report goes on to say. Web censorship should therefore also be on the agenda of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
According to the report, repressive governments are increasingly resorting to technical aids to gain control of the internet. Internet censorship measures were used in around 60 countries last year. This is twice as many as a year ago. The current list of "enemies of the internet" includes countries such as Burma, China, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam, Turkmenistan and Saudi Arabia. According to ROG, these countries have the most severe disregard for freedom of expression.
Turkey and Russia were downgraded to the "under observation" category for the first time, ROG added in a press release. Although surveillance by the Kremlin is still a cause for concern in Russia, the internet is now the best place for the free exchange of information. Countries such as Australia and South Korea are also listed in the "under observation" category.
On the occasion of the "World Day against Internet Censorship", ROG has published the latest "Enemies of the Internet" report. On the one hand, more and more governments are trying to tighten internet censorship. On the other hand, more and more activists are taking action against political oppression on the Internet. For example, they are trying to demonstrate and mobilize others via social network platforms such as Twitter.
In other countries, companies have better internet connections and access to media, which could have positive consequences for the population. Internet censorship should therefore also be seen as an obstacle to global trade, as the ROG report goes on to say. Web censorship should therefore also be on the agenda of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
According to the report, repressive governments are increasingly resorting to technical aids to gain control of the internet. Internet censorship measures were used in around 60 countries last year. This is twice as many as a year ago. The current list of "enemies of the internet" includes countries such as Burma, China, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam, Turkmenistan and Saudi Arabia. According to ROG, these countries have the most severe disregard for freedom of expression.
Turkey and Russia were downgraded to the "under observation" category for the first time, ROG added in a press release. Although surveillance by the Kremlin is still a cause for concern in Russia, the internet is now the best place for the free exchange of information. Countries such as Australia and South Korea are also listed in the "under observation" category.
