Internet Access Should Be a Human Right

From Public Service Europe:

Internet access should be 'a human right'

Access to the internet should be enshrined in law as "a human right" because of its capability to bring about democracy and freedom of expression, according to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Calling for all governments to include technological rights in their constitutions, OSCE representative on freedom of the media Dunja Mijatovic said: "In order to pay tribute to the unique contribution the internet has given to participatory democracy, to freedom of expression and to freedom of the media - it is only fitting to enshrine the right to access on exactly that level where such rights belong, as a human right with constitutional rank. Without this basic requirement, without the means to connect, without an affordable connection, the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media become meaningless in the online world."

She also urged states that adopt censorship to relent, adding: "The free flow of information is the oxygen of cyberspace. Without it, the internet becomes a useless tool. Why do certain governments try to block, restrict and filter this flow? To protect us from terrorism, extremism, child pornography, human trafficking and other forms of threats, and make our societies more secure? Or is it only to shield us from criticism, satire, provocative and shocking comments, differing views and tasteless or controversial content? For that they do not have permission. We as citizens that voted for them never asked them or obliged them to shape our minds and opinions. There is no security without free media and free expression, and no free expression and free media without security. These two terms should go hand in hand, and not fight each other like we see in so many parts of the world."

Her comments come in the wake of the Arab spring, where mass uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa have been labelled as the "Twitter" or "Facebook revolutions". But despite the empowerment of people through technology and the mobilisation of networks of pressure groups and individuals by way of social media, a number of autocratic states like China and Cuba still refuse the right for everyone to have unencrypted online access.