[kictanet] [Security Forum] #KeIGF Online Discussions Day 6: Openess

[Mwendwa Kivuva]

>
> The idea of an open Internet is the idea that the full resources of the
Internet and means to operate on it are easily accessible to all
individuals and companies. This often includes ideas such as net
neutrality, open standards, transparency, lack of Internet censorship, and
low barriers to entry. We seek to answer questions like: how open is the
Internet in Kenya? Is Freedom of Speech Online encouraged or it is
suppressed? Are there examples of blocked websites in Kenya?  How easy is
it to start an Internet business in Kenya?
>
Thanks Grace Bomu,
Let me contribute on freedom of speech.

Openness includes issues like censorship and media freedom. It has been
noted that media freedom is threatened in Kenya. This was part of US
President Obama's message to the government to ensures media freedom is
upheld. A good case in point was the news by mainstream media in Kenya of a
National Intelligence Service operative who was detained in Netherlands for
allegedly going there to interfere with an International Criminal Court ICC
witness. Nation Newspaper reported the news through this link
http://mobile.nation.co.ke/news/NIS-Deportation-Netherlands-The-Hague-ICC-Witness/-/1950946/2692112/-/format/xhtml/-/13t7x5iz/-/index.html
but hurriedly deleted it after government threatened them with undue
consequences. If you visit that link, you will get an error " 404 the
requested resource is not available ". Of course the many backstreet
websites (that the government wants to be hosted locally) reported the
story nevertheless. Here is the link
http://m.news24.com/kenya/MyNews24/NIS-officer-was-deported-from-the-Netherlands-government-admits-20150421

There are many examples of such censorships including totally blocked
websites. We have heard the debate between responsible journalism verses
freedom of expression and reporting.  Where should the line be drawn?

Please arrange for Harambee incase the NIS pick me. :)

Sincerely,
Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya
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