New Media Opportunities for Freedom of Expression

1. Online Media:Opportunities, Challenges and Threats to Freedom of Expression Lecture 4, 7 November 2007Carol Azungi Dralega

2. Introduction: New Media and the FOX discourse • New Media: The Internet and the WWW constitute new forms of communication and infrastructure that expand the possibilities for individual and collective participation, the growth and spread of information and knowledge. • Role of the Media: to inform, educate, represent, mirror society,watchdogs, organize, mobilize, etc • Channels: websites, ebulletine boards, chat groups, listservs, e-mails, multi-user domains, multimedia convergencies, weblogs etc.

3. Introduction contd... • FOX : act of seeking, receiving and imparting information regardless of media • FOX and New Media: How does the new media enhance peoples freedoms to seek, receive and spread ideas and the creation of meaning that constitute them as individuals and communities? • Connection to Democracy: • Individual rights • Collective rights • Governance/democratic responsibility*

4. This lecture... • Explores ways in which the New media provide new ways for FOX • Explores challenges that hinder these new possibilities, • Nature of Online censorship as Threats to FOX

5. Characteristics of the Internet • Access to `limitless´ information • Space and Time: Speed • Possibilities to copy, modify, collate, store, transmit content • Democratic nature of media/personalized character of media • Possibilities for two-way flows and Interactivity • Globality: easier for content to cross cultural, political and geographic borders

6. New Media and the opportunities For Freedom of Expression • The Internet can function to strengthen and enrich the connections between citizens and intermediary organizations including political parties, social movements and interest groups, and the news media, as well as with public officials and agencies of local, national and global governance. • The spread of new freedoms and extent of frontiers of freedoms that public authorities have often attempted to control; religious freedoms, gender, ethnicity and sexual freedoms based on social and cultural identities.

7. Oppotunities contd... • Routing: Reaching audiences directly without gatekeepers or intermediary • It may also broaden involvement in public life by eroding some of the barriers to political participation and civic engagement, especially for marginalized from mainstream politics, facilitating the ability to gather information, mobilize community networks, to network diverse coalitions and lobby elected reps.

8. Opportunities contd... • Political participation is made easier and certain obstacles like apathy, shyness, disabilities, time etc can be lessened • Internet allows for the fragmentation of audiences to focus on specific issues Vs. Mass Media • The internet could facilitate opportunities for direct democratic participation and political expression through e-voting and e-referenda which may help promote accountability and give the public sense of citizenship and community and power over their political, social and cultural destinies (few countries have actually tried this).

9. Opportunities contd... • Two-Way communication: A hierarchical political system becomes more horizontal by increasing political engagement and participation. • Space and Time: ICTs increase the scale and speed of providing information-this helps create more informed citizens. • CMCs create new ways of organizing with subject-specific groups for discussion, mobilization and lobbying.

10. Opportunities continued... • Citizens will have more voice in creating agendas for government • New media will help remove distorting mediators like journalists, representatives and parties • Politics will be able to respond more directly to citizens as ICT and CMC enable a kind of political marketing research • ICT will help resolve the problem of representative democracy such as territorial bases of constituencies, etc

11. Opportunities continued... • Lower costs of copying and distribution of information allows large number people to publish/disseminate information more cheaply and widely because websites, weblogs easy to construct and access in terms of costs of publication and distribution of traditional media.

12. Generic models for on-line media • Digital governance models, developed by (www.digitalgovernance.org) are continuously evolving, depending on the uses to which they are put. • Therefore, there are no rigid and finite models of digital governance. Since these models are based on strategic use of information, the possibilities are endless, depending on how innovative and imaginative the governments, the citizens groups and the international development agencies can be.

13. 1. The Broadcasting model

14. Most important model and stepping stone for other complex models • Based on the dissemination/broadcasting of useful/important (government) information to the public through ICTs. • The utility of this model is that a more informed citizenry is better able to benefit from governance related services that are available for them. • The model can enable citizens to understand what government services are available and how to avail them. • Allows people to better judge the existing mechanisms that provide governance related services and make an informed opinion about performance. • As a consequence, people may feel more empowered to voice their concerns and to impact/influence these governance processes.

15. Aim of the broadcasting model: • To enhance access/flow of information to society • To inform citizens through services and also empower citizens with knowledge for decision making (democratic principles). Examples: • Putting governmental Laws and legislation on line • Avail names, addresses, emails, faxes of local, national, regional officials online • Government plans, budgets, expenditure and performance reports • Opening and closing of government officials

16. Critical Flow Model • Critical Information Targeted/Wider domain Private Domain Information Targeted Domain

17. Based on the broadcasting or dissemination of information of `critical value`. • By its very nature, it would not be disclosed by those involved with bad governance practices Target audience: • Media • Opposition parties • Judicial bench • Independent investigators • Concerned public

18. The strength of this model is that the concept of 'distance' and 'time' becomes redundant when information is hosted on a digital network. Once available on the digital network, the information could be used advantageously - by instantly transferring the critical information to its user group located anywhere or by making it freely available in the wider public domain. 

19. Type of information: • Corruption data to a constituency • Equity reports • Critical Research results • Human rights violation cases • Information usually suppressed; eg. Environmental related radio activity spills etc Examples: • Transparency international-daily corruption news since 2000 (www.transparency.org) • Bangladesh: human rights portal for women, children and marginalized community (www.banglarights.net).

20. Comparative Analysis Model • Public + Private Domain Information - Wider public Public Domain Wider Domain Private Domain

21. The comparative knowledge model is the least used but holds high significance as it empowers people by matching cases e.g. of bad governance vs. good governance then analyzing aspects, implications and impact. • It is used to explore information and use it to strengthen learning and argumentation. Uses; • Compare past policies/actions to derive lessons for future policy/decision-making • Evaluate effectiveness of polices and their strengths and weaknesses • Evaluate performance and track records of decision-makers or decision-making bodies

22.  The model continuously assimilates ‘Best Practices’ in the areas of governance and then uses them as benchmark to evaluate other governance practices. • It then uses the result to advocate positive changes or to influence 'public' opinion on these governance practices. • The strength of this model lies in the infinite capacity of digital networks to store varied information and retrieve and transmit it instantly across all geographical and hierarchal barriers.

23. Mostly used by; • Investigative reporters online • Researchers etc Examples: • See the Global Development Indicators like the UNDP Human Rights Development Reports and statistics on literacy, health, national development etc. • Also see India´s Comparative Learning from Disasters data on earth quakes which indicated that the damages to life and property are not just disasters but also dependent on preparedness and competences of governments machineries and policies

24. E-Advocacy and Pressure Group Model • Networking Networks for Concerted Action Virtual Community Real Community Common Goal Communities Individual Interest Groups Networks

25. E-advocacy or pressure group model is a mobilization and lobbying model • Based on setting up planned, directed flow of information to build global allies • Its strength lies in diversity of the virtual community (in terms of ideas, expertise and resources) through networking Most frequently used by; • Global civic society-to impact global decision-making This model could be applied for: • Fostering public debate on larger concerns e.g. conferences, treaties etc • Formation of pressure groups on important issues • Opinions of suppressed groups far from decision-making processes

26. Catalyze participation in decision making • Build global alliances Examples include: • The anti-Iraq war campaigns • Green Peace cyber activism, Drop the debt campaign • WTO protests in Seattle ´99 (minute to minute reports, audio) • Beijing conference of 1993 • BBC’s Free Allan Johnson web campaigns • Anti-fuel tax campaigns • WSIS February 2005 and November 2006, and so forth.

27. Interactive - Service Model • Citizens Government Local Government International Governance CITIZENS National Government

28. The Interactive - service model opens avenues for direct participation of citizens in government processes; • Bring together transparency and objectivity • It is supposed to be a Two-Way communication flow; • interactivity in policy making processes • Public debate on opinion polls • Grievances, feedback Examples: • India´s www.gyandoot.net for everyday needs of the people (agricultural issues, registration of land titles, grievances etc)

29. Structures of e-democracy and FOX • What types of political institutions exist on-line and what are their functions? • What opportunities are created for active citizenship and civic engagement?

30. Government websites • Ministries, • Departments, • Embassies and consulates Functions • Information • Interactivity-feedback • Link to official resources • “One-stop-shop” for Jobs, questions, tax info etc

31. Content analysis: • Information transparency-ownership, contact details, organizational information-to create confidence and accountability in service delivery. • Interactivity-links and opportunity for input and feedback; danger of top-down flows, less participation • More websites in DCs than LDCs • Most governments work simultaneously with paper and face to face and electronic in service delivery i.e. They duplicate rather than replace channels of information. • Trial and error

32. Online parliaments • Electrol incentive to maintain stronger links with citizens (especially Europe, USA, Scandinavia...) • Governments are accountable to parliament and parliaments are accountable to the public (watching the watchdog-accountability) Parliaments on line/Functions • Most rudimentary-some are outdated info, pictures Content: • Pending legislation • Government proposals • Full texts of press releases • Audio-visuals virtual tours of buildings • Details of personal websites of members • Civic education • Resources for education • Debates, sub-committee hearings • They provide public interactivity, organize details and comprehensive information allowing scrutiny

33. Virtual parties • Waning interest - Parties have been adapting ICTs by choice or necessity - mobilize activities and disseminate ideologies What is their role and function? • Parties represent the diverse interests, they are therefore a fora to access the public in their bid to compete for office (divergent ideologies) • Hope to revitalize the role of political parties i) by giving people access, choice ii) check and balance to the ruling establishment Pessimists-Just propaganda, politics as usual

34. Debate Groups • Brings out the networking potential of the Internet between advocacy networks, grassroots political organizations, the independent media and governments • Debate important issues of social, economic, political concern; women´s movement, human rights, peace activists, environmentalists, etc. • Their use is aimed to increase awareness, engagement and participation

35. News Media • The Press ventured online first, followed by the radio then TV • On their websites; news, current affairs, live coverage for TV • Opportunities for public participation: feedback, polls on significant stories etc • Improved/wider reach through online extension (see Al Jezeera; Radio and TV Burma, etc) • Often challenged by political problems of traditional realm (censorship, intimidation).

36. Individual Spaces for FOX • Personal Websites: personal agendas • Blogosphere: mainly commentary

37. Challenges and Threats to FOX • Challenges to FOX: Digital Divide and the abuse of FOX • Threats to FOX: Online Censorship

38. 1: The Digital Divide • The term used to describe disparities in online communities. • The Question of Access. Global Access: 7% have access worldwide. • Its a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing three aspects; • Global Divide • Social Divide • Democratic divide

39. a) The Global divide • Divergence of Internet access between Industialized and DCs. • Developed countries have reinforced their lead in the new knowledge economy-used technology as an engine for economic growth while DCs lag behind plagued by multiple burdens of debt, disease, ignorance (UN, IDRC). • The UN argues that productivity gains from ICT may widen this global divide leaving those with lack of skills, resources, infrastructure to invest in IS further behind..

40. Global Divide contd.... • The scenario is that those with incomes, education gain information/access at a low cost and high speed as opposed to those without... • The language issue...(English 87% of documents on the web, 84% english pages, 1/10 use English; 4.5% German; 3.1 Japan, 1.8 French, 1.2 Spanish, 1.1% Swedish, 1% Italian-the rest 1%

41. b) Social Divide • Rich and poor within a country • Even in Industrialized countries-poor neighbourhoods and peripheral communities experience lower access • Projects: i) EU-European Action Plan (1999) Lisbon ii) US Program “Falling through the Net” by the department of commerce which emphasizes lower rates, programs for wider access, skill & content devt, wired classrooms etc.

42. Social divide contd... iii) British government-`Networks of City Learning Centres`, which distribute computers, public library online, training for poor and minorities... iv) Norwegian municipalities initiatives... Some of the causes of these disparities • Income levels • Occupation • Education • Gender gaps • Generational gaps etc.. • Implication to FOX and democracy among others.

43. The Democratic Divide • Users vs. Non-users of the multiple political resources on the net for democratic and FOX purposes. • Division between the plugged-in and the plugged-out, the active and the disengaged. • E-opportunities will benefit the elite and therefore those with established traditional interests will continue to re-assert their control in the virtual political sphere, in essence it will be a meeting place for similar minded people just like in the traditional politics. • Reinforce voices of the powerful-politics as usual...etc

44. Abuse of FOX • Cases of child-porn, racial hatred, destructive expression, religious fundamentalism etc may be sighted as challenges of FOX in onlne media.

45. Censorship, New Media and the a Threat to FOX • A historical trajectory censorship: • Legal • Administrative • Violent • economic • and now through technology.

46. Legal: censorship laws making it illegal to write and publish/disseminate information that is seditious, threat to national security etc • Repercussion: warnings, suspension, interdiction, seizure, fines, imprisonment, excommunication, deportation, mutilation, death etc • They are often vague and ambiguous

47. Administrative strategies: obligation to register or obtain authorization for publication (licencing). Some times requiring deposit of financial guarantees-constraining for publicists and opposition politicians • Government restrains without alerting public opinion • Opportunity for authorities to take arbitrary decisions

48. Violence: • Beating, kidnapping, arbitrary arrests • Chilling effect: Fear and sense of insecurity-self-censorship • Economic strategies: an ancient but efficient way of controlling especially the press • Taxes on media • Advertisement restrictions

49. Censorship on New Media • Technology as a tool for censorship: Instrument of control integrated in medium. Software programs- Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) that prevent users from accessing Internet content in a 2-step process: • Rating: • Classifying web content according to categories like; violence, nudity, sex, Al Quida, etc through the software developed by the WWW Consortium (Netscape and Microsoft). • Websites are rated by publishers (self-rating) or by evaluative 3rd party

50. Filtering: • When a search engine of a web browser is connected to the blocking software, it filters content on the basis of the information provided by the software rating system. • When a site falls under a category, it is blocked and access denied Many governments use this system: • E.g. Australia´s broadcasting Amendment Online Bill of May 1999 requiring ISPs to use filters • Singapore´s National Internet Advisory Committee made it compulsary to label websites using PICS • Asia: china, Malaysis, S. Korea all have extensive use of PICS • USA • Europe