News: ICT policy
Why the Stop Online Piracy Act might pass -- and why it shouldn't
The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is being debated in the US House of Representatives today. Wildly unpopular, this bill is the latest in a series of extreme and reactionary legislation that seek a heavy-handed approach to dealing with copyright infringement online. If passed, SOPA would grant broad powers to censor and restrict content on the Internet.
Digital transition in Senegal – let’s not forget the social costs
For developing countries, digital broadcasting migration is yet another issue in a long list of challenges. In a new report written by Coura Fall for APC, the ICT (information and communication technology) expert explains that the transition presents more than economic challenges. Social challenges must also be taken into account.
APC in Qatar for an interfaith dialogue on social networking
Followers turned to Twitter to receive words of guidance from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Chief Rabbi and Muslim leaders during the London riots in August. APC’s Dafne Plou was in Qatar to follow how today’s religious progressives are using social networking to spread their messages.
First things first: Nigeria needs a regulatory framework to continue digital migration
Nigeria has been ahead of the game when it comes to digital broadcast migration, and has set itself the bold target of completing the migration by June 2012. But a new report by APC reveals that things are not moving because the policy framework still has not been approved, meaning that Nigeria will not likely meet its target.
To DVB-T or not to DVB-T? Ghanaian committee must make up its mind
As West Africa’s fifteen countries migrate to digital TV by 2015, the people responsible for the change-over in Ghana have been struggling to determine which technology to use. Meanwhile the process hasn’t developed much and most Ghanaians have not been informed of this upcoming migration, says the author of new research carried out for APC.
APC publishes new issue paper on spectrum for development
A new issue paper by South Africa-based ICT expert Steve Song for APC explains how wirless is crucial to bridging the digital divide. This article summarises some of the key points of his paper which is available for download.
TV white spaces can open up low-cost high-speed internet across Africa: All we need is the regulatory go-ahead
“We have the skills, the entrepreneurs, a spectrum model we can replicate, the standards, the technology and clearly we have the demand,” said South African Henk Kleynhans in the wake of a TV white spaces workshop in Johannesburg last week. “All we need is a regulatory go-ahead.”
Recommendations made at the WATRA workshop on the migration to digital broadcasting in West Africa
West-African countries are currently in a race against time to switch from analogue to digital broadcasting. A one-day regional workshop held by the West African Telecoms Regulators Assembly (WATRA) and ECOWAS helped establish recommendations and steps for going forward to help those countries undergoing the transition.
New APC brief on the new threats to human rights online
APC’s human rights expert Joy Liddicoat outlines the state of human rights online and the major challenges facing activists and human rights defenders. As levels of censorship and surveillance are increasing worldwide including in democratic countries threaten the lives of democracy activists, APC calls for the theme of the 2012 IGF to focus exclusively on human rights.
APC outlines priorities for the Sixth Internet Governance Forum
The world’s oldest progressive network reminds UN conference goers of critical issues facing the freedom of the internet today including affordability, openness and network neutrality in the mobile internet and the importance of conflict minerals in internet governance. Read the 13-page brief.
Digital broadcast transitioning: The benefits – and the obstacles
Africa has committed to move to digital broadcasting by June 2015. In West Africa, very few countries have begun the migration. Rife with challenges, the process is daunting to most, with the benefits largely unclear. A new paper from APC and Balancing Act investigates.
Digital TV in West Africa: Who's taking the plunge and how?
Of West Africa’s sixteen countries, only a handful have committed in earnest to the move to digital broadcasting – though all African states have signed up to undertake the migration by June 2015. New research from APC with Balancing Act gives an overview of the state of the transition and recommendations for countries.
London Riots: Social media does not cause social problems say APC and GreenNet
Following last week’s riots, British PM David Cameron said that his government is considering a crackdown on online communications. However he forgets that the same websites and phone networks were also used to locate friends and plan safe exits from trouble-spots. APC and GreenNet issue a statement.
TV white space spectrum workshop looks at Kenya and South Africa
Unused TV white spaces could be the way to get highspeed wireless internet to millions living outside major African cities. Manufacturers are gearing up for mass production of white space devices and now is the time to act. APC and partners are coordinating an important workshop for govt officials, regulators and professionals in October.
Dear Librarian in Denver: Why are you filtering the internet?
Controlling what users can and can’t see on computers using filtering software is standard in US libraries. APC questions the Denver Public Library on their filtering policy and practices in a fictional exchange that tackles very real questions of freedom of information.
APC expresses concern over OECD Communique on principles for internet policy-making
“Anyone involved in the development of the internet over the last twenty years knows that transgression has probably been a far greater driver of innovation than IP protection,” says APC in a statement which points to “positive signs” coming out of the recent OECD meeting but questions the take on intellectual property as well as internet intermediaries’ responsibility for policing the net.
Feminist tips for online campaigning
This guide includes all you need to know to plan your online campaign from a feminist perspective. What does this mean? That Strategising Online Activism: A Toolkit focuses on women’s needs and how technology can lead to their empowerment.
Connect your rights! Internet rights are human rights
With our coverage of APC’s event on human rights and the internet at the Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier this month, we’ve launched a new web space. Find all our content related to these issues in one place.
New research on digital migration in West Africa offers solutions
African countries committed to migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting by 2015 – but migration won’t be easy or cheap. Findings provide the data and tools for broadcasters and regulators to make informed decisions.
APC welcomes ruling of Egyptian court
APC welcomes the recent ruling of an Egyptian court that fined former president Mubarak and two of his aides $90 million for cutting internet and cell phones during the Egyptian revolution.
