Information Society

In the second installment of the Global Information Society Watch (GISWatch) 15th anniversary series, Anriette Esterhuysen reflects on the birth of the project during her time as APC's executive director, as well as its evolution and longevity as a meaningful resource.

APC's landmark publication Global Information Society Watch (GISWatch) celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. This inaugural piece by its long-time editor is the first in a series that will celebrate and examine how far we've come and where we need to head next. 

This week’s blog, the first of 2021, is a keynote presentation to the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)’s review of progress towards the Information Society since the World Summit (WSIS) of 2003/2005. It reviews last year and looks forward to recovery.

It’s been a busy month of international meetings around ICTs and internet.  

Twenty years ago, the internet was expected to advance the causes of democracy and human rights. But is it turning out that way? The world today is less liberal than it was back then. What’s happening?

Some thoughts this week on some of the names we've given phenomena in the world of ICTs - and whether what we mean by the biggest term of all (the 'Information Society') is changing or should change.

What has changed since the early days of the internet? David Souter returns with four thoughts which seem important when looking forward.  

This story’s about many things: the power that data gives to data companies like Facebook; the potential that it gives those companies and others to influence opinion; the impact of new media on old, on politics and populism.