21 August 2003

IFLA LAUNCHES WORLD REPORT ON LIBRARIES AND FREE EXPRESSION


Despite the worldwide spread of the Internet, libraries in poor countries are struggling to meet the challenge of providing equal access to public information due to censorship, financial barriers and lack of access and training, says a new report by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

"There is a long way to go before [many] countries, their libraries and their staff are suitably equipped and properly trained to meet the challenge of safeguarding their clients' full participation in the information and knowledge society," the report concludes.

Produced bi-annually by IFLA's Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE), the report is the most comprehensive global survey of libraries and their role in fostering freedom of expression. It examines the state of libraries and intellectual freedom in 88 countries. This year's edition focuses on libraries and the Internet, including user privacy, intellectual freedom and online censorship.

To read the report, go to: http://www.ifla.org/index.htm



Stay on top of free expression news.

Sign up to receive the weekly IFEX Communiqué.


Also from the Communiqué, 21 August 2003

HAITI: HAITIAN GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO REVIEW PRESS-FREEDOM CASES 19 August 2003 IRAQ: IFEX MEMBERS CONDEMN KILLING OF CAMERAMAN 21 August 2003 SOUTH AFRICA: NEW NETWORK FIGHTS GENDER BIAS IN THE MEDIA 21 August 2003 ZIMBABWE: MISA MAGAZINE SPOTLIGHTS ZIMBABWE 21 August 2003 ANGOLA: IMS Reports Assess Media Situation in Angola, Rwanda 21 August 2003 INTERNATIONAL: German Donor Funds Study on Access to Information in the Americas 21 August 2003 INTERNATIONAL: NEW U.S. WATCHDOG TO HOST CONFERENCE ON MEDIA REFORM 21 August 2003

International

A "to do" list for internet freedom 16 May 2012 Human rights council urged to recognise role of free expression in protecting rights of LGBT persons 7 March 2012 ARTICLE 19 welcomes Internet free expression debate 1 March 2012 RSF concerned about Google's new country-redirect service on Blogger 16 February 2012 Twitter urged not to cooperate with censors 27 January 2012


 
IFEX is a global network of committed organisations working to defend and promote free expression.
Permission is granted for material on this website to be reproduced or republished in whole or in part provided the source member and/or IFEX is cited with a link to the original item.