[kictanet] On homosexuality and Information Controls: Laws and Culture

Mose Karanja mosekaranja at gmail.com
Wed Feb 24 13:39:01 EAT 2016 

Hello listers,

The Internet has been a great platform for sexual minorities and those who work to defend their rights for organization, support groups and as safe haven from hostile offline environments. The video clip in question was uploaded, not sold on the streets of Nairobi, in part because the Internet is a safer platform for the LGBTQ community.

My thinking on this is not even a question of legality but rather about the cultural expectations we have in our country on this topic. If tomorrow the LGBTQ community successfully lodged a constitutional case on the illegality of the clauses incriminating their very identity, the people they live with in their neighbourhoods, schools, churches and mosques would not accept them overnight. It will take time and immense effort to build a critical mass who take our brothers and sisters who are sexual minorities as human beings. As human rights defenders, out role should then be to keep the Internet as that safe haven for the LGBTQ.

Moses.

> On Feb 24, 2016, at 12:23 PM, kictanet-request at lists.kictanet.or.ke wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Re: Films board gives Google a week to take down gay song
>      video - Corporate News (Mildred Achoch)
>   2. Re: Films board gives Google a week to take down gay song
>      video - Corporate News (simiyu mse)
> 
> From: Mildred Achoch <mildandred at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Films board gives Google a week to take down gay song video - Corporate News
> Date: February 24, 2016 at 11:59:52 AM EAT
> To: simiyu mse <kensimiyu at gmail.com>
> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> 
> 
> Hi Ken,
> 
> Let me ask some questions in an attempt to answer your question (and at the risk of opening a can of worms)
> 
> 1. Note: I don't know the details of the laws regarding homosexuality in Kenya. My question is: in Kenya, is it illegal to practice homosexuality or is it illegal to BE a homosexual?
> 
> 2. Related to the above question, as an artist/creative/content producer whose role in society is to hold up a mirror using my art, is it illegal to portray what is already happening in society? Crime is illegal yet Nairobi Halflife was not banned. :-)
> 
> It goes back to the muddy issue of morality. It seems in Kenya, some crimes are deemed more hazardous than others and these skewed views trickle down to censorship parameters.
> 
> The issue of obeying the laws of the land is also muddy, especially in this age of globalization. Is my online TV channel, which is available only on the Internet, hosted by a foreign country and with majority of viewers being non-Kenyans, subject to the laws of Kenya (only)?
> 
> Check out the Rock 'n' roll film festival, Kenya TV Channel!
> http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com <http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com/>
> 
> 
> On Wed, Feb 24, 2016 at 9:31 AM, simiyu mse <kensimiyu at gmail.com <mailto:kensimiyu at gmail.com>> wrote:
> Hello Mildred.
> 
> Excellent points and just as you said, if you support the infringement of one's right then its only a matter of time before the axe is trained on yours.
> 
> However, there is the element of promoting something that is illegal. Homosexuality is currently illegal in the country. The morality angle may be abit vague based on it's subjective nature but in terms of legality it is as clear as night and day.
> 
> Whats your take on the matter being an online media stakeholder?
> 
> Kind regards.
> 
> ./ken
> 
> The major problem is that there is no clear line as to what "morality" is. Each individual, each government has their take on what is moral. So who's right is it to say what is right and what is wrong? I do my best to support the freedom of even those whose opinions I do not agree with. Because when someone else's freedom is infringed upon then it's just a matter of time before my freedom is also infringed upon.
> 
> My very personal and biased answers to the questions asked:
> 
> 1. Should we allow content online that we wouldn't even think about showing in our sitting rooms and public places?
> 
> In one word: yes. On the internet, the individual has more freedom to "switch off" what they don't want to view. Plus there are ways in which content providers can place restrictions so that minors etc cannot have access to controversial content. This is very personal to me because I currently have an online TV channel that shows content (rock music videos) that would normally not be shown on Kenyan TV.
> 
> 2. Should the government be the morality cop when we as parents fail to do our duty?
> 
> In one word: no. The answer to this question is in the question :-) Parents/Caregivers need to do their duty.
> 
> 3. Where does third party liability start and stop? There are precedents here by the way where Google has actually taken down graphic Al-Shabaab videos and the US Government ordering Google to take down the video - Innocence of Muslims.
> 
> I have never watched nor plan to ever watch graphic Al-Shabaab videos but I still don't think they should have been taken down. Censorship is censorship. Today it will be graphic Al-Shabaab videos, tomorrow it will be "graphic" rock 'n' roll videos. Even graphic videos have a story to tell, a lesson to teach, a warning to give.
> 
> Just my two cents :-)
> 
> Check out the Rock 'n' roll film festival, Kenya TV Channel!
> http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com <http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com/>
> 
> 
> On Wed, Feb 24, 2016 at 9:00 AM, Ali Hussein via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke <mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> wrote:
> Listers
> 
> This may be of interest.
> 
> http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Films-board-gives-Google-a-week-to-take-down-gay-song-video/-/539550/3089994/-/v8r0e2z/-/ <http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Films-board-gives-Google-a-week-to-take-down-gay-song-video/-/539550/3089994/-/v8r0e2z/-/index.html>index.html <http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Films-board-gives-Google-a-week-to-take-down-gay-song-video/-/539550/3089994/-/v8r0e2z/-/index.html>
> It has become increasingly important for we as a nation to define our parameters when it comes to content.
> 
> 1. Should we allow content online that we wouldn't even think about showing in our sitting rooms and public places?
> 
> 2. Should the government be the morality cop when we as parents fail to do our duty?
> 
> 3. Where does third party liability start and stop? There are precedents here by the way where Google has actually taken down graphic Al-Shabaab videos and the US Government ordering Google to take down the video - Innocence of Muslims.
> 
> I suspect there's no easy answer to these pressing issues.
> 
> Net Neutrality  is becoming an issue that needs our attention - and quickly.
> 
> Ali Hussein
> Tel: +254 713 601113
> 
> 
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> 
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> 
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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.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: simiyu mse <kensimiyu at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Films board gives Google a week to take down gay song video - Corporate News
> Date: February 24, 2016 at 9:31:54 AM EAT
> To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> 
> 
> Hello Mildred.
> 
> Excellent points and just as you said, if you support the infringement of one's right then its only a matter of time before the axe is trained on yours.
> 
> However, there is the element of promoting something that is illegal. Homosexuality is currently illegal in the country. The morality angle may be abit vague based on it's subjective nature but in terms of legality it is as clear as night and day.
> 
> Whats your take on the matter being an online media stakeholder?
> 
> Kind regards.
> 
> ./ken
> 
> The major problem is that there is no clear line as to what "morality" is. Each individual, each government has their take on what is moral. So who's right is it to say what is right and what is wrong? I do my best to support the freedom of even those whose opinions I do not agree with. Because when someone else's freedom is infringed upon then it's just a matter of time before my freedom is also infringed upon.
> 
> My very personal and biased answers to the questions asked:
> 
> 1. Should we allow content online that we wouldn't even think about showing in our sitting rooms and public places?
> 
> In one word: yes. On the internet, the individual has more freedom to "switch off" what they don't want to view. Plus there are ways in which content providers can place restrictions so that minors etc cannot have access to controversial content. This is very personal to me because I currently have an online TV channel that shows content (rock music videos) that would normally not be shown on Kenyan TV.
> 
> 2. Should the government be the morality cop when we as parents fail to do our duty?
> 
> In one word: no. The answer to this question is in the question :-) Parents/Caregivers need to do their duty.
> 
> 3. Where does third party liability start and stop? There are precedents here by the way where Google has actually taken down graphic Al-Shabaab videos and the US Government ordering Google to take down the video - Innocence of Muslims.
> 
> I have never watched nor plan to ever watch graphic Al-Shabaab videos but I still don't think they should have been taken down. Censorship is censorship. Today it will be graphic Al-Shabaab videos, tomorrow it will be "graphic" rock 'n' roll videos. Even graphic videos have a story to tell, a lesson to teach, a warning to give.
> 
> Just my two cents :-)
> 
> Check out the Rock 'n' roll film festival, Kenya TV Channel!
> http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com <http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com/>
> 
> 
> On Wed, Feb 24, 2016 at 9:00 AM, Ali Hussein via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke <mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> wrote:
> Listers
> 
> This may be of interest.
> 
> http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Films-board-gives-Google-a-week-to-take-down-gay-song-video/-/539550/3089994/-/v8r0e2z/-/ <http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Films-board-gives-Google-a-week-to-take-down-gay-song-video/-/539550/3089994/-/v8r0e2z/-/index.html>index.html <http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Films-board-gives-Google-a-week-to-take-down-gay-song-video/-/539550/3089994/-/v8r0e2z/-/index.html>
> It has become increasingly important for we as a nation to define our parameters when it comes to content.
> 
> 1. Should we allow content online that we wouldn't even think about showing in our sitting rooms and public places?
> 
> 2. Should the government be the morality cop when we as parents fail to do our duty?
> 
> 3. Where does third party liability start and stop? There are precedents here by the way where Google has actually taken down graphic Al-Shabaab videos and the US Government ordering Google to take down the video - Innocence of Muslims.
> 
> I suspect there's no easy answer to these pressing issues.
> 
> Net Neutrality  is becoming an issue that needs our attention - and quickly.
> 
> Ali Hussein
> Tel: +254 713 601113
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> kictanet mailing list
> kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke <mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet>
> 
> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mildandred%40gmail.com <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mildandred%40gmail.com>
> 
> 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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> 
> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kensimiyu%40gmail.com <https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kensimiyu%40gmail.com>
> 
> 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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---
Moses Karanja | @Mose_Karanja <https://twitter.com/Mose_Karanja> | PGP: 0x1529552F <https://pgp.mit.edu/pks/lookup?op=index&fingerprint=on&search=0x1529552F>




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