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CAPSULE REPORT: MISA lobbies government on ICTs and freedom of expression

(MISA/IFEX) - The following is an 18 November 2005 MISA capsule report:

MISA Zimbabwe lobbies government on ICTs and Freedom of Expression

Following is a report and recommendations on ICTs and Freedom of Expression, submitted by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe to the Ministry of Information and Publicity.

Introduction

Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) are an integral part of national development strategies in the arena of communication infrastructure and strengthening of democracy, especially the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression. The use of ICTs also has a positive effect on the development of education, health facilities and the economy.

While the term Information Society has mostly been used to refer to the developed world, with the third world seen as aspiring to enter the Information Society, we note that the use of ICTs in Zimbabwe and other Third World countries as evidenced by the spread of wireless mobile communication, the Internet etc, indicates that the developing world is equally part of the information society although more still needs to be done to maximize the benefits ICTs offer.

More importantly the ICTs revolution presents a chance for the developing world to expand communication infrastructure in the service of democracy and economic progress.

This can be implemented to enhance the universal principles of freedom of expression. The media industry and society at large, if supported by a properly designed and all-inclusive national ICT policy, can become one of the critical beneficiaries of the ICT revolution.

The opportunities ICTs present in providing multi-channels of content distribution, cheaper communication means as mobile phones, internet connectivity among others, cannot, therefore, be over-emphasized.

The advent of the Internet, wireless and satellite communication, coupled with improvements in the broadcasting industry to include digital equipment, have meant a significant paradigm shift towards much more efficient and accessible electronic media in countries that have had the courage to embrace the importance of technology for the promotion of freedom of expression.

In the case of Zimbabwe, it is the considered view of the Media Institute of Southern Africa- Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe) that there is still a lot of room for improvement in the promotion of ICTs as critical platforms for the promotion of freedom of expression and sustainable development.

This is said within the context of the principles that were adopted at the United Nations-International Telecommunications Union-sponsored World Summit on Information Societies of 2003 where inter-alia it was agreed that in order to build information societies:

We, the representatives of the peoples of the world, assembled in Geneva from 10-12 December 2003 for the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, declare our common desire and commitment to build a people centered inclusive and development oriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilise and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving their quality of life premised on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and respecting fully and upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (1)

The WSIS discussion continued in Tunisia in 2005, with the world taking stock of achievements made over the past two years since 2003 and the challenges ahead.

The importance of the WSIS declaration of principles by representatives of member states of the Untied Nations place into context the importance attached both to the role of ICTs in sustainable development, access to information, the production and distribution of information as well as the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states under Article 19:

"Everyone shall have the right to freedom of opinion, and expression, this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

MISA-Zimbabwe submits that the African Charter on Human and People's Rights is also salient in its protection of the right to receive information through Article 9 which stipulates that every individual shall have the right to receive information, and that every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his/her opinions within the law.

This clause of the African Charter is embraced under Section 20 of Zimbabwe's constitution that allows for freedom of expression.

1. World Summit on the Information Society. Declaration of Principles, 12 December 2003.

For the full report including recommendations, see: http://www.misa.org/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?category=3&id=1132300398