[kictanet] UCC attempts to block social networks

Tue Apr 26 14:05:56 EAT 2011

I think it is a very pertinent issue.

What is to stop the Kenyan government doing the same thing?

On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 1:30 PM, <bitange at jambo.co.ke> wrote:

> 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
> >
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> 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.
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