[kictanet] UCC attempts to block social networks

Tue Apr 26 13:30:07 EAT 2011

Use of Kenyan Sim Cards may be the only option here.

Bitange

> Reporters Without Borders urges the Ugandan authorities to respect freedom
> of expression and not obstruct online social networks and news media on
> the eve of new opposition demonstrations.
> It would be dangerous for the government to make unjustified use of
> protection of national security as grounds for controlling information.
>
> The role of that Facebook and Twitter are playing in providing the public
> with information about current developments is all the more important
> given the restrictions that have been placed on journalists trying to
> cover the demonstrations.
>
> Reporters Without Borders urges the Ugandan authorities to respect freedom
> of expression and not obstruct online social networks and news media on
> the eve of new opposition demonstrations.
> It would be dangerous for the government to make unjustified use of
> protection of national security as grounds for controlling information.
>
> The role of that Facebook and Twitter are playing in providing the public
> with information about current developments is all the more important
> given the restrictions that have been placed on journalists trying to
> cover the demonstrations.
>
> The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) tried to block access to social
> networks on 14 April, when "Walk to Work" demonstrations were held in
> several cities in protest against food and gasoline price hikes. In a
> letter (copy attached) signed by Quinto Ojok (standing in for the
> executive director), the UCC ordered 10 telecom companies "to block the
> use of Facebook and Tweeter for 24 hours as of now, that is 14th April
> 2011 at 3.30 pm."
>
> The grounds given for the order was "a request from the security agencies
> that there is need to minimize the use of the media that may escalate
> violence to the public in respect of the ongoing situation due to the
> demonstration relating to 'Walk to Work'."
>
> UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabazi told Reuters yesterday that he was
> ready to give fresh orders to block Facebook and Twitter locally if they
> were used "to fan unrest." The day before, thousands of people took to the
> streets to protest against the arrests of opposition leader Kizza Besigye
> and other demonstrators, who were accused of inciting violence.
>
> Reached by telephone, Mutabazi told Reporters Without Borders he would cut
> off access to Facebook and Twitter only if it had to be done to protect
> the public. He said his statements should be seen as an appeal to Ugandans
> to be take care not to use social networks to issue calls for hatred or
> violence. "The freedom to live is more important than the freedom to
> express oneself," he added.
>
> As a regulator, the UCC cannot block websites without help from Internet
> services providers. The 14 April letter was sent to Broadband (U), Foris
> Telecom Uganda and Infocom, with copies to Orange Uganda, Uganda Telecom,
> MTN Uganda, Warid Telecom, Airtel Uganda, Africaonline Uganda and ZAfsat
> Communications. Reporters Without Borders has told some of these companies
> that it opposes social networks being disconnected in a unilateral and
> abusive manner.
>
> The blocking that the UCC ordered on 14 April was not implemented by all
> the companies concerned. Some requested clarification. Some said they got
> the letter too late. And some simply refused to comply. MTN Uganda, one of
> the leading ISPs, announced on Twitter on 15 April that it would not carry
> out the order: "@MTNUGANDACARE: @StoneAtwine Our stand is clear. We are
> not closing down FB or Twitter. Thanks."
>
> Some users nonetheless experienced disruptions for several hours.
> Different information has been circulating about the ISPs involved.
>
> Local NGOs have accused the security forces of using excessive violence to
> disperse demonstrators - charges rejected by the government.
>
> The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) has condemned the
> restrictions imposed by the government on journalists, who have been
> denied access to hospitals and certain places linked to the
> demonstrations. Around 10 journalists have been injured and have had
> equipment damaged while covering the protests, which began on 11 April. An
> armed forces spokesman apologized publicly.
>
> Several sources have separately said that a UCC directive has also banned
> TV and radio stations from providing live coverage of the "Walk to Work"
> protests.
>
> Reporters Without Borders is very worried about the restrictions that the
> Ugandan government is imposing on freedom of expression.
>
> "The authorities must not confuse the event itself with coverage of the
> event," Reporters Without Borders said. "When media cover demonstrations,
> they are not taking part in them; they are simply doing their job of
> reporting the news. The media must not be prevented from working and
> journalists must not be obstructed."
>
> source Reporters sans Frontières
>
> A
> on 14 April, when "Walk to Work" demonstrations were held in several
> cities in protest against food and gasoline price hikes. In a letter (copy
> attached) signed by Quinto Ojok (standing in for the executive director),
> the UCC ordered 10 telecom companies "to block the use of Facebook and
> Tweeter for 24 hours as of now, that is 14th April 2011 at 3.30 pm."
>
> The grounds given for the order was "a request from the security agencies
> that there is need to minimize the use of the media that may escalate
> violence to the public in respect of the ongoing situation due to the
> demonstration relating to 'Walk to Work'."
>
> UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabazi told Reuters yesterday that he was
> ready to give fresh orders to block Facebook and Twitter locally if they
> were used "to fan unrest." The day before, thousands of people took to the
> streets to protest against the arrests of opposition leader Kizza Besigye
> and other demonstrators, who were accused of inciting violence.
>
> Reached by telephone, Mutabazi told Reporters Without Borders he would cut
> off access to Facebook and Twitter only if it had to be done to protect
> the public. He said his statements should be seen as an appeal to Ugandans
> to be take care not to use social networks to issue calls for hatred or
> violence. "The freedom to live is more important than the freedom to
> express oneself," he added.
>
> As a regulator, the UCC cannot block websites without help from Internet
> services providers. The 14 April letter was sent to Broadband (U), Foris
> Telecom Uganda and Infocom, with copies to Orange Uganda, Uganda Telecom,
> MTN Uganda, Warid Telecom, Airtel Uganda, Africaonline Uganda and ZAfsat
> Communications. Reporters Without Borders has told some of these companies
> that it opposes social networks being disconnected in a unilateral and
> abusive manner.
>
> The blocking that the UCC ordered on 14 April was not implemented by all
> the companies concerned. Some requested clarification. Some said they got
> the letter too late. And some simply refused to comply. MTN Uganda, one of
> the leading ISPs, announced on Twitter on 15 April that it would not carry
> out the order: "@MTNUGANDACARE: @StoneAtwine Our stand is clear. We are
> not closing down FB or Twitter. Thanks."
>
> Some users nonetheless experienced disruptions for several hours.
> Different information has been circulating about the ISPs involved.
>
> Local NGOs have accused the security forces of using excessive violence to
> disperse demonstrators - charges rejected by the government.
>
> The Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA) has condemned the
> restrictions imposed by the government on journalists, who have been
> denied access to hospitals and certain places linked to the
> demonstrations. Around 10 journalists have been injured and have had
> equipment damaged while covering the protests, which began on 11 April. An
> armed forces spokesman apologized publicly.
>
> Several sources have separately said that a UCC directive has also banned
> TV and radio stations from providing live coverage of the "Walk to Work"
> protests.
>
> Reporters Without Borders is very worried about the restrictions that the
> Ugandan government is imposing on freedom of expression.
>
> "The authorities must not confuse the event itself with coverage of the
> event," Reporters Without Borders said. "When media cover demonstrations,
> they are not taking part in them; they are simply doing their job of
> reporting the news. The media must not be prevented from working and
> journalists must not be obstructed."
>
> source Reporters sans Frontières
>
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet
>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at
> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke
>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
> development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>
> ----------------------------------------------
> This message has been scanned for viruses and
> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is
> believed to be clean.
> ---------------------------------------------
> "easy access to the world"
>
>

---------------------------------------------- 
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
---------------------------------------------
"easy access to the world" 