"2019 has seen major achievements resulting from needs-based, and specifically-tailored support through the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP). Actions building on ongoing work and others opening new avenues, have initiated substantial changes in favour of
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freedom of expression and media development. The stories presented here are some examples of how the MDP works to provide countries and their populations with the necessary tools to nurture a free and independent media. This includes promoting the adoption of policies and standards on freedom of expression and safety of journalists, and fostering diversity, gender equality and media and information literacy through and with the media. Hence the name given to this series of articles: Let Free Media Thrive." (Editorial, page 2)
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"We are at a constitutional moment for the future of the internet. Nation states around the world are launching major new initiatives to regulate the internet, both directly against users and by regulating the companies that provide access to telecommunications infras- tructure and content services.
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The giant technology companies that control the bulk of the commercial internet are themselves under unprecedented scrutiny for the policies they set, the decisions they make, and the choices that go into designing their architecture. In my new book, Lawless, I argue that in this moment of change there is a major opportunity for us all to rethink how the internet should be governed, how power is held to account, and whose values prevail." (Abstract)
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"The four principles identified as key to Internet Universality are summarised as the R-O-A-M principles, and are fundamental to the development of the Internet in ways that are conducive to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals with no one left behind. These principles are: R – that the int
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ernet is based on human Rights; O – that it is Open; A – that it should be Accessible to all, and M – that it is nurtured by Multistakeholder participation. To enable the concept of Internet Universality to be more concretely understood and applied, UNESCO has spent two years developing indicators for the four principles. These indicators enable the empirical assessment of Internet Universality in terms of its existence at the level of a national Internet environment. By using these new indicators for research, a collage of evidence can be assembled to help governments and other stakeholders to identify achievements and gaps. The indicator framework is tailored for national use in regard to improving the local Internet environment, and is not designed or suited to rank countries in comparison with one another." (Executive summary, page 12)
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"Knapp 2.000 Menschen zog die ‹Bits & Bäume› im November 2018 an die Technische Universität Berlin. Dieser Zuspruch verdeutlicht die Lücke, die wir mit unserer Veranstaltung gefüllt haben: Digitalisierung und Nachhaltigkeit als zwei wesentliche aktuelle Herausforderungen unserer Gesellscha
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ft müssen endlich gemeinsam diskutiert werden. Die ‹Bits & Bäume› hat vielfältige Akteure zusammengebracht, vor allem aus der Tech-Szene und der Nachhaltigkeitsbewegung, aber auch aus Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Politik. Die Konferenz hat gezeigt: Wir brauchen dringend neue Foren, um uns mit Digitalisierung auseinanderzusetzen. Verschiedene Akteure müssen gleichberechtigt und demokratisch daran teilhaben. Denn wie die Digitalisierung politisch gestaltet wird, darf nicht vordergründig von wirtschaftlichen Erwägungen abhängen. Mit diesem Buch möchten wir zentrale Inhalte der‹Bits & Bäume› für diese gesellschaftliche Debatte festhalten." (Editorial, Seite 2)
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"This book provides an incisive analysis of the emergence and evolution of global Internet governance, revealing its mechanisms, key actors and dominant community practices. Based on extensive empirical analysis covering more than four decades, it presents the evolution of Internet regulation from t
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he early days of networking to more recent debates on algorithms and artificial intelligence, putting into perspective its politically-mediated system of rules built on technical features and power differentials. For anyone interested in understanding contemporary global developments, this book is a primer on how norms of behaviour online and Internet regulation are renegotiated in numerous fora by a variety of actors - including governments, businesses, international organisations, civil society, technical and academic experts - and what that means for everyday users." (Publisher description)
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"This report is structured according to five overlapping themes that we consider a helpful framework for assessing internet health: privacy and security, openness, digital inclusion, web literacy, and decentralization, but it’s designed so you can read the articles in any order." (Introduction)
"It is evident that Uganda will need to do some things differently to ensure improved outcomes. Addressing inconsistencies in policy that affect the sector is critical. Each policy that impacts the sector, regardless of the Ministry that develops it, should be evaluated before implementation within
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the overall context of the Digital Uganda Vision so that adverse effects can be mitigated. Supply-side interventions on their own are insufficient. Demand stimulation is essential to driving Internet uptake. Affordability of devices is the primary challenge for policymakers, with even relatively low-cost devices being beyond the financial means of large numbers of citizens. Further, the price of data, even though relatively low, is simply beyond the means of many people for meaningful use. Shifting people from passive consumption of services to productive use represents a far greater challenge, however. This requires not only improving digital literacy in order to bring people online, but developing wider skillsets for the production of local content to stimulate demand, improving entrepreneurial application to create jobs and increasing the consumptive capacity of the economy more broadly to drive growth." (Key recommendations, page vi)
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"Key principles: 1. Data subjects must own their data – individually and collectively. 2. Our data requires protection from abuse. 3. We need the tools to control our data. 4. Data commons need appropriate governance frameworks. 5. Data protection, sharing and use require new institutions. 6. Data
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-creating work ought to come with data rights. 7. Data should be processed close to the point of its origin. 8. Cross-border data flows must be decided nationally. 9. Techno-structures need to be reclaimed as personal and public spaces. 10. We should own our software and be able to control it. 11. Key digital infrastructures need to be governed as public utilities. 12. Techno-structures must be decentralised for open use, with interoperability. 13. Global digital monopolies should be broken. 14. Societies’ datafication needs to be managed democratically. 15. Digital standards must be developed by public interest bodies. 16. The digital has to be governed in a local-to-global manner." (Pages 2-3)
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"How is society being reshaped by the continued diffusion and increasing centrality of the Internet in everyday life and work? Society and the Internet provides key readings for students, scholars, and anyone with a serious interest in understanding the interactions of the Internet and society. Spaw
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ned from a series of lectures at the University of Oxford, this multidisciplinary set of theoretically and empirically anchored chapters address the big questions about perhaps the most significant technological transformation of the 21st century. The authors employ a diversity of data, methods, and approaches to address these questions in creative ways. Internet research needs to keep learning from the past, ground itself in a diversity of disciplinary perspectives, and continue to look to the future. In doing so, Internet Studies can address core questions about equality, voice, knowledge, participation, and power; and provide a better understanding of what the ever-changing configurations of technology and society mean not only for everyday life, but also for major developments in the politics, economic, and cultural development of societies across the world. Understanding the role of the Internet in society is critical to addressing the major issues of policy and practice, from the nature of democracy and freedom of expression to how we learn, work and play in everyday life." (Publisher description)
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"Digital Middle East sheds a critical light on continuing changes that are closely intertwined with the adoption of information and communication technologies in the MENA region. Drawing on case studies from throughout the Middle East, the contributors explore how these digital transformations are p
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laying out in the social, cultural, political, and economic spheres, exposing the various disjunctions and discordances that have marked the advent of the digital Middle East." (Publisher description)
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"Como recomendações à reversão do atual processo em curso e para o respeito à legislação para a Internet em vigor no Brasil, sobretudo o Marco Civil da Internet, propomos: A inclusão do modelo de regime público para a prestação do serviço de conexão à Internet, especialmente na presta
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ão de serviço no atacado; A criação de um modelo de plano básico, com preço, velocidade, franquia e qualidade adequados, para que a construção de redes, com recursos públicos, represente ampliação do acesso a todos/as; A separação funcional ou estrutural dos serviços prestados na camada de rede do serviço de conexão, para fins de regulação e incentivo à competição; O investimento na Telebras e a retomada de sua atuação baseada no interesse público e não apenas na rentabilidade econômica; A adequação do modelo de TACs para garantir oferta em áreas de menor interesse econômica; Criação de um fundo garantidor para pequenos provedores de Internet com recursos públicos; Redução da carga tributária incidente sobre o serviço de conexão à Internet; Criação e fortalecimento de instrumentos de transparência, fiscalização das políticas públicas e participação social." (Conclusão e recomendações, página 53)
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"This book is the first to incorporate current academic literature on European, transnational, and international media law into a comprehensive overview intended primarily for students. It introduces the legal framework for globalised communication via mass media, and considers the transformative ef
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fect globalisation has had on domestic media law. Engaging case examples at the beginning of each chapter and questions at the end give students a clearer idea of legal problems and encourage them to think critically. A wide variety of topics - including media economics, media technology, and social norms concerning media publications - are discussed in relation to media law, and numerous references to case law and suggestions for further reading allow students to conduct independent research easily." (Back cover)
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"Der Autor konzeptualisiert Globale Medien- und Kommunikationspolitik erstmalig umfassend aus kommunikationswissenschaftlicher Perspektive und gibt einen umfassenden Einblick in die Herausbildung und den Wandel des über 150 Jahre alten Politikfeldes. Die Analyse zeigt, dass sich kommunikationspolit
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ische Entscheidungen auf globaler Ebene seit jeher in einem Spannungsverhältnis zwischen technischen, ökonomischen, kulturellen und sicherheitspolitischen Ansprüchen bewegen, und exemplifiziert die Befunde am Beispiel der ITU. Das Buch bietet einen literaturgesättigten Überblick und entwickelt zugleich eine fundierte theoretisch-konzeptionelle Perspektive auf das Politikfeld." (Verlagsbeschreibung)
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"Civil society groups from the Global South are leading the charge to advocate for an Internet that remains open, pluralistic, and democratic. The nine case studies highlighted in this report demonstrate various ways groups in different countries have successfully fought for policies and norms that
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strengthen Internet freedom and digital rights. These strategies include awareness-raising, nonviolent direct action, regional and international coalition-building, and strategic litigation." (Key findings)
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"The digital convergence means that how the Internet develops going forward — both in terms of policy and technology — will shape the very environment in which all other media operate. This report makes the case to this community that they can, and must, engage in the decision-making bodies that
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are shaping Internet governance (IG) to ensure that the Internet — and the growing media sphere it sustains — remains open, pluralistic, and democratic. The media development community can work to improve the global enabling environment for media by actively engaging in Internet governance. Policy issues being discussed at ICANN, IGF, ITU, IETF, and IEEE could greatly benefit from the input of those with media development experience. Multistakeholder Internet governance presents a unique opportunity for the media development community to actively shape the future media ecosystem." (CIMA website)
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"This publication recognizes the principle that “internet policy is social policy”. Accordingly, its core assumption is that internet governance concerns everybody. The stakes are high in today’s digital society. Equitable access to the internet; human and civil rights; the right to social, cu
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ltural, and economic participation; fair trade; and ensuring that the “net of nets” is working smoothly and securely at all times: all are topics that relate to internet governance." (Preface, page 5)
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