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ARTICLE 19 AND THE INTERNET WE WANT

Dear John,

THIS WEEK (8–12 OCTOBER), ARTICLE 19 IS AT THE UN INTERNET GOVERNANCE
FORUM (IGF) IN KYOTO, JAPAN, THE THEME OF WHICH IS _THE INTERNET WE WANT:
EMPOWERING ALL PEOPLE._

WE ARE LEADING AND PARTICIPATING IN SEVERAL SESSIONS AT THE FORUM, WHICH
YOU CAN WATCH, LISTEN TO, AND READ MORE ABOUT BELOW.

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THE FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION DURING CONFLICT

As we watch the horror of extreme violence unfold in Gaza and Israel [5] we
can only hope that the forces at work can find a way to pull back from the
brink. Our focus this week on the aims of the INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM
(IGF) feels less urgent in the face of what is fast becoming a huge
humanitarian disaster in Gaza, as families on both sides of the conflict
mourn the hundreds who have lost their lives so far.

Yet the concerns we share with partners at the IGF about the free flow of
information during conflict are critical at this time. Disinformation, deep
fakes, and propaganda serve to make complex situations even more polarised
at a time when we must work to find solutions – genuine solutions –
that serve the people.

That is why it is vital we understand threats to freedom of expression and
access to information during conflicts.

During wartime, freedom of expression and the free flow of information must
be vigorously defended: both are vital to ensure accurate reporting,
address human rights abuses, and promote peace.

On 10 October at the IGF, digital security and risk experts, campaigners,
and disinformation researchers discussed how important it is for people to
access information and to contact their loved ones during conflicts. The
panel also looked at the central role journalists play in disseminating
accurate news to the public, including reporting on crimes committed by the
warring parties – key to countering impunity.

Moderated by CHANTAL JORIS, Legal Officer at ARTICLE 19.

Listen to the session

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BALANCING ACT: ADVOCACY WITH BIG TECH IN RESTRICTIVE REGIMES

Around the world, authoritarian governments are forcing tech companies to
comply with internet restrictions and censorship, with debilitating
consequences on civil society and on people using the internet to share
information.

On 9 October, SUAY ERGIN-BOULOUGOURIS (ARTICLE 19 Europe’s Turkey
Programme Officer) joined ELONNAI HICKOK (Managing Director of the Global
Network Initiative), TRINH HUU LONG (Co-founder and Co-director of Legal
Initiatives for Vietnam), and CAGATAY PEKYORUR (Human Rights Policy Manager
at Meta) to discuss what Big Tech can do to confront potential throttling
and severe sanctions in Turkey and Vietnam.

WATCH THE EVENT

‘THE THREATS OF THROTTLING ARE NOT EMPTY ONES: IT IS A CHILLING REALITY
… TWITTER, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS THROTTLED IN THE AFTERMATH OF DEVASTATING
EARTHQUAKES … PEOPLE WERE MAINLY USING THIS PLATFORM TO COORDINATE RESCUE
OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS ASKING FOR HELP – AND SOMETIMES, EVEN FROM UNDER
THE RUBBLE.’

– SUAY ERGIN-BOULOUGOURIS, ARTICLE 19 EUROPE’S TURKEY PROGRAMME OFFICER


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THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND KENYA’S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES

On 8 October, MUTHURI KATHURE (ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa Programme Officer
for Civic Space) organised and took part in a session [8] about
discriminatory laws, public officials’ homophobic statements, and the
authorities’ inadequate responses to violence against LGBTQ+ people in
Kenya.

They discussed the importance of protecting data about people’s sexual
orientation and gender identity, how this links with obligations under the
Sustainable Development Goals [3], and how to achieve concrete solutions to
ensure communities in Kenya are safe.

Listen to the sesson

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CONNECTIVITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development explicitly recognises that
information and communication technologies have the power to bridge the
digital divide. As such, governments are increasingly addressing
connectivity expansion as part of their efforts to meet the Sustainable
Development Goals.

On 10 October, RAQUEL RENNO NUNES (Digital Programme Officer at ARTICLE
19), moderated a discussion about the limits of framing connectivity solely
as a facilitator for social and economic growth – approaches that
ultimately privilege the most powerful telecommunication industries. If all
internet access is provided by the same few global telecommunication
operators, many, including those living in rural or remote communities,
will continue to be disconnected. This matters, as unequal access to the
internet means unequal access to rights.

LISTEN TO THE SESSION

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR INITIATIVES AND HOW YOU CAN
GET INVOLVED.

GET INVOLVED

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