News
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.
Computer Aid launches new guide for advocacy on e-waste issues
Computer Aid recently launched a guide for NGOs and civil society working on issues of e-waste in their country. The free resource provides practical information and tools on how to conduct campaigns to reduce the impacts of electronics on the environment and people.
Let's get spectrum right: It's time to start making use of TV white spaces
The use and management of spectrum was raised repeatedly during the IGF with many seeing digital migration and TV white spaces as an exciting opportunity for bridging the access gap. A number of recommendations came out of an APC workshop on spectrum for development as APC schedules a white spaces workshop in Joburg this week.
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 welcomes the passing of the Swedish resolution to investigate human rights on the internet
The Swedish proposal to establish an expert panel on human rights and the internet passes by consensus at the Human Rights Council. APC welcomes this as a crucial step to having internet rights be the theme of the 2012 IGF.
Can we have internet governance without internet rights?
APC’s pre-event on access as a right helps bring human rights issues to the forefront at the Internet Governance Forum in Nairobi
APC is seeking English language copy-editors
APC produces scores of publications every year. If you are an eagle-eyed copy-editor looking for freelance work we are interested to hear from you.
Op-Ed: Colombian Law Sets Dangerous Precedent says APC
Colombian lawmakers are studying the “Lleras law”, the latest effort by that country to secure a free trade agreement with the United States by submitting to U.S. demands to comply with U.S. intellectual property laws. The bill is currently being fast-tracked with little input or consultation from Colombian citizens.
Women human rights defenders and the internet
GenderIT examines the risks many activists face online. “Security emerged not only as one of the main topics in our interviews but also forced us to change our ways of working so that we didn’t jeopardise the safety of our interviewees,” say the editors. A must read.
Should the private sector protect our online privacy?
Increasingly governments are delegating responsibility for content restriction, surveillance, and even internet blackouts to private companies. APCNews spoke with Milka Pietikainen, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Nokia Siemens about the role of the private sector in protecting our 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.
APC: Support Swedish proposal for UN panel on freedom of expression & the internet
APC has put out a statement strongly endorsing the proposal of the Swedish Government for an expert panel on freedom of expression at the United Nations. We invite you to endorse the statement.
Sweden's proposed expert panel explained
APC’s Joy Liddicoat explains the significance of Sweden’s proposal to the Human Rights Council to establish an expert panel on the internet and human rights.
APC member Colnodo condemns anti-piracy law
“APC member Colnodo has issued a report about Colombia’s controversial “two strikes” bill. Under this law, file-sharers caught with copyrighted content can lose their internet connections or even face jail time.” See full article in Spanish.
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.
Issue papers for Southern African IGF good preparation for Nairobi
New issue papers on cloud computing, mobile phones, privacy and security, critical internet resources, and access and diversity are a good introduction to some of the issues upcoming at the Sixth Internet Governance Forum.
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.
Dot.Africa? First Southern African IGF starts Sept 1
On September 1-3 the first ever Southern African Internet Governance Forum kicks off in Johannesburg in preparation for the global UN internet forum to be held in Kenya.
Where does your laptop come from?
It’s normal to buy a new laptop when we can afford it. But do you know about the waste or the environmental damage that result from its production? See this new APC video to learn more.
APC member wins $1 million award for work in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania
APC member in Kenya, the Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), which provides knowledge and information through a variety of innovative channels in remote communities throughout Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania has received the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 2011 Access to Learning Award.

