"This study encompasses both quantitative and qualitative assessment: On the one hand, the more than 50 evaluated declarations, guidelines, and frameworks are briefly described in the given context; on the other hand, the issues contained in these documents are also qualitatively analyzed. In this,
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it is evident that multiple initiatives have been taken during the last 25 years. The prevailing impression is of a wide diversity of documents and of attention to diverse Internet Governance principles. The contents of the analyzed documents heavily depend on the given actors and environment at the time of the drafting. Furthermore, some principles (for example freedom of expression, access to information, privacy) have gained much more attention than other principles (for example, multistakeholder participation, ethical behavior, sustainability, education, gender equality)." (Executive summary)
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"Cette étude comprend une évaluation à la fois quantitative et qualitative : d’un côté, la cinquantaine de déclarations, directives et cadres évalués sont présentés brièvement dans le contexte donné; d’un autre côté, les questions contenues dans ces documents sont analysées d’un
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point de vue qualitatif. À cet égard, il est évident que de multiples initiatives ont été prises au cours des 25 dernières années. La principale impression qui se dégage, c’est que les documents et les principes retenus montrent une grande diversité. Le contenu des documents examinés dépend fortement des acteurs et du contexte au moment de l’élaboration. En outre, certains principes (par exemple la liberté d’expression, l’accès à l’information, le respect de la vie privée) ont reçu beaucoup plus d’attention que d’autres (par exemple, la participation de multiples acteurs, le comportement éthique, la durabilité, l’éducation, l’égalité des genres)." (Résumé exécutif)
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"The fundamental problem with cyber surveillance, even for the most well-intentioned governments, is that laws have not evolved with the technology. Governments must enforce the laws that exist and apply them to the modern age. And they should consider that just because technology makes surveillance
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possible doesn’t mean it makes it necessary or justifiable in all cases. The best one can hope for is international adoption of a set of standards, and the use of those standards by international monitoring organizations to apply pressure on authoritarian governments to meet them." (Conclusion)
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"This report presents an up-to-date assessment of internet rights in Turkey, and has been prepared to coincide with the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2014 which is being hosted by Turkey in Istanbul from 2–5 September 2014. The IGF is a space that strives for a democratic and inclusive internet
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and this report assesses the Turkish government’s respect for international human rights standards in relation to freedom of expression online. The assessment [...] focuses on internet regulation, internet access, blocking, surveillance, liability of internet intermediaries, criminalisation of legitimate expression, and cyber-attacks. The report concludes with recommendations for actions to promote and protect an open and free internet in Turkey." (Abstract)
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"The research showed that internet intermediaries are heavily influenced by the legal and policy environments of states, but they do have leeway over many areas of policy and practice affecting online expression and privacy. The findings also highlighted the challenge where many state policies, laws
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, and regulations are – to varying degrees - poorly aligned with the duty to promote and protect intermediaries’ respect for freedom of expression. It is a resource which enables the assessment of Internet intermediaries’ decisions on freedom of expression, by ensuring that any limitations are consistent with international standards. The research also recommends specific ways that intermediaries and states can improve respect for internet users’ right to freedom of expression. This is through promoting: adequate legal frameworks and policies consistent with international norms; multi-stakeholder policy development; transparency of governance; accountability in self-regulation; mechanisms for remedy; and public information and education." (UNESCO website)
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"In the last few years, Russia has become an important player in the international internet governance debate, pushing for a governance model that is state-centric, hierarchical and based on the inviolability of state sovereignty. Russia has not only articulated an alternative model at forums like t
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he World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT), it has formed alliances with states such as China and Saudi Arabia, who share its vision. Russia’s views on internet governance stem from security concerns about the potential of independent information to harm its state and society, as well as from a normative aversion to what it views as US domination of internet governance. Russia favours the UN and particularly ITU as the organisation best suited for ultimately settling questions of governance." (Summary, page 6)
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"This book sets out to answer essential questions regarding the extent and limits of freedom of expression online. It seeks to shed light on the often obscure landscape of what we are allowed to say online and how our ideas, and the process of imparting and receiving information, are protected. It s
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hows the large ambit of rights protected by freedom of expression – including freedom of the media and the right to access information via the Internet. It also highlights the importance of the standard-setting, monitoring and promotion activities of international and non-governmental organisations, with a chapter on relevant national practices that illustrates how different states deal with the challenge that the Internet has brought to ensuring freedom of expression for all. As the importance of the Internet in our daily lives grows, readers will find this book to be a valuable resource for understanding the rights and obligations of each actor on the Internet, including states, Internet companies and civil society." (Back cover)
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"Über die politische Einschätzung und den Regelungsbedarf des Internets ist im Laufe seiner kurzen Geschichte weltweit schon viel und unterschiedlich debattiert worden. Wiederholt sind diverse Themen in den Vordergrund geschoben worden: etwa digital divide, Netzneutralität, Cyberkriminalität, Da
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tenschutz etc. Jeweils verschiedene Akteure haben sich dafür engagiert und ihre Interessen vertreten. Diese Einführung arbeitet die relevanten Handlungsfelder, die maßgeblichen Akteure international, regional und national sowie die getroffenen Regelungen und die sich aktuell und künftig abzeichnenden Regelungsbedarfe systematisch auf und erläutert sie an Fallbeispielen. Damit leistet sie zugleich einen grundsätzlichen Beitrag zur anhaltenden Globalisierung medial-digitaler Kommunikation." (Verlagsbeschreibung)
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"In this document the Office of the Special Rapporteur endeavors to make available to all States in the region, general principles for the protection of the right to freedom of thought and expression online. These principles are intended to provide guidance to governments, legislative and regulatory
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bodies, the courts and civil society in order to clear the way for this conceptually and technically new territory, and stimulate the revision and adoption of legislation and practices in view to achieving the full realization of the right to freedom of thought and expression through the Internet." (Page 2)
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"Iraq’s parliament is in the process of enacting an “Information Crimes Law” to regulate the use of information networks, computers, and other electronic devices and systems. The draft law includes vague provisions that would allow Iraqi authorities to deter legitimate criticisms of or peacefu
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l challenges to governmental or religious officials or policies. As such, the law is part of a broad effort by authorities to suppress peaceful dissent by criminalizing legitimate information sharing and networking activities." (Back cover)
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"Digital technology has made culture more accessible than ever before. Texts, audio, pictures and video can easily be produced, disseminated, used and remixed using devices that are increasingly user-friendly and affordable. However, along with this technological democratization comes a paradoxical
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flipside: the norms regulating culture's use —copyright and related rights —have become increasingly restrictive. This book brings together essays by academics, librarians, entrepreneurs, activists and policy makers, who were all part of the EU-funded Communia project. Together the authors argue that the Public Domain —that is, the informational works owned by all of us, be that literature, music, the output of scientific research, educational material or public sector information —is fundamental to a healthy society. The essays range from more theoretical papers on the history of copyright and the Public Domain, to practical examples and case studies of recent projects that have engaged with the principles of Open Access and Creative Commons licensing. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the current debate about copyright and the Internet." (Publisher description)
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"Die Forderung nach Sicherheit im Internet, besonders in Hinblick auf die persönlichen Daten, die Gewährung der Freiheit dieses Mediums ohne staatliche Eingriffe, die Diskussion um adäquate Formen des Urheberrechts und seiner Durchsetzung sowie eine Fokussierung auf die Risiken verbunden mit eine
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m latenten Vorwurf eines unbedingten Reglementierungswillens des Staates sind Eckpunkte der deutschen netzpolitischen Debatte. Die Publikation soll mit Blick auf die netzpolitischen Entscheidungen in anderen Ländern einen Referenzrahmen bieten, der die Diskussion in Deutschland befruchten kann." (Verlagsbeschreibung)
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"Speakers may be liable for content online in many of the same ways as offline, but additional rules often exist. Many countries are enacting internet-specific speech laws, often imposing enhanced liability for online expression. In addition, some governments are extending broadcast-type regulations
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to online media, which could create new sources of liability. The authors also examine new entities that may be subject to liability on the internet. In some countries, internet “intermediaries”—meaning internet service providers (ISPs), webhosts, and other platforms for online expression—can be held responsible for the speech of others, which can lead to self-protective and overly broad “private” censorship. Since most speakers rely on intermediaries to host or disseminate their content, intermediary liability can harm citizens’ and media institutions’ ability to speak online. Finally, the internet’s borderless nature may complicate any assessment of what content laws apply, and thus what liability risk may arise. Addressing these complex challenges requires attention to several policy areas, including enacting legal protections for internet intermediaries, repealing internet content laws that enhance liability, and opposing further extension of broadcast regulation to the internet." (Abstract)
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