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From: Robert Horvitz [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 15 October 2003 14:11 To: j.armitage Subject: 3 items from yesterday's GIPI blog "Uncontrolled" Internet surveillance in Ukraine http://gipi.typepad.com/internetpolicy/2003/week42/index.html#a0000404 461 The Ukrainian Internet Association (InAU) told a meeting of the OSCE's Human Dimension Implementation meeting in Warsaw yesterday about the "uncontrolled" surveillance of Internet users by Ukraine's Security Service. According to Interfax-Ukraine, "InAU referred to [the] existence of binding requirements to the [Internet] operators...which were set in force by the Ordinance of the State Committee of Communications and Informatization of Ukraine No. 122 as of June 17, 2002. One of the requirements listed in the Ordinance is installation of monitoring equipment in spite of the fact...that 'the legislation of Ukraine does not make any provisions for information monitoring [or for] limitations on the right to privacy of correspondence under such monitoring. As a result of illegal monitoring, Security Service of Ukraine receives full uncontrolled access to Internet information flows, including confidential information and private correspondence. Internet Association of Ukraine regards such violation of the Declaration of Human Rights as impermissible.'” Belarus' media crackdown reaching the Internet http://gipi.typepad.com/internetpolicy/2003/week42/index.html#a0000404 389 Belarus' Charter 97 Human Rights Centre posted a note on their website last week informing visitors that they are suspending their news updates in English due to a lack of money to pay translators. However, their reports about increasing repression in the runup to the next presidential election continue to be posted in Russian. They note that "'the internet is the only source of information not under the control of the authorities... Today many of those who lost sources of information following a shutdown of dozens of independent newspapers, are navigating [the] Internet in search of truthful and quick information on the country's life, as proven by the constant rise in the number of users of the independent news sites. The authorities can't ignore that tendency. So we have plenty of grounds to suppose that shortly they will embark on certain measures to restrict the freedom of speech in Internet." A new draft media law is expected to reign in e-publishers. According to Vera Rich (Index for Free Expression), the law will likely define the Internet as a 'global media organ' so that anyone wishing to create a website in Belarus must obtain prior court approval and the slightest infraction might cause that approval to be revoked. Preparing for the possibility that their website will be forced offline, Charter 97 is appealing for hosting services outside Belarus to "mirror" their content, and they have launched email lists in English and Russian for delivery of news updates. Information about these precautionary services can be found here. Report on China's Internet Media Forum http://gipi.typepad.com/internetpolicy/2003/week42/index.html#a0000404 249 "The 2003 China Internet Media Forum opened in Beijing [last] Friday, calling for local Internet media to take more responsibility in dealing with online ethical issues. Diverging from the previous two forums in 2001 and 2002, which mainly focused on the development of the Internet in China, this year the topic turned to 'social responsibility of the Chinese Internet media.' Cai Mingzhao, deputy director of the Information Office of the State Council, said in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony that the Internet should contribute to China's social progress... While offering a quick access to information, the Internet also can expose people to pornography, violence, superstition and evil cults, Cai said. He urged local Internet portals, the 150 approved news publishing portals in particular, to bear more social responsibility... The two-day forum is co-sponsored by the All-China Journalists' Association and major Chinese news portals like those run by People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency and China Daily." (Xinhua via China Daily) =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Robert Horvitz, Project Manager Global Internet Policy Initiative Slavikova 11 120 00 Prague 2 Czech Republic Email: [log in to unmask] Tel/fax: +420 222 725 688 http://www.internetpolicy.net/ --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.518 / Virus Database: 316 - Release Date: 9/11/2003 ************************************************************************************ Distributed through Cyber-Society-Live [CSL]: CSL is a moderated discussion list made up of people who are interested in the interdisciplinary academic study of Cyber Society in all its manifestations.To join the list please visit: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/cyber-society-live.html *************************************************************************************