Unesco S Internet Universality Indicators

Note: This is an assessment of 109 core indicators and 21 contextual indicators instead of the full set of 303 indicators, and it is therefore not intended to cover all dimensions of the digital ecosystem in the country, but serves to take stock of significant progress and signal those gaps in a need to be improved in adhering to ROAM framework. As the Internet environment is changing very fast, so are the data collected and analysis and recommendations made upon. UNESCO encourages countries to continue the dialogues about the findings, and to update the assessment after due time while also keeping track of the latest developments to monitor and adapt and sometimes strengthen the recommendations to further enhance their impact, as appropriate.

his research reviews more than 50 Internet-specific declarations and frameworks relevant to Internet principles. These documents provided important context for UNESCO’s comprehensive Internet Study, titled Keystones for the Internet. However, it was also clear that there a need for a specific review of the declarations and frameworks from the perspective of UNESCO’s mandate. This publication fulfils this role and it shows that while each of these other documents has its own value, none of them fully meets UNESCO’s interests and mandate. It is proposed therefore that UNESCO adopt the concept of “Internet Universality” as the Organisation’s own clear identifier for approaching the various fields of Internet issues and their intersections with UNESCO concerns. Internet Universality highlights the contribution that can be made by an Internet that is based on four principles, recognised by UNESCO governing bodies. An Internet developed on these principles would be: human Rights-based; Open; Accessible to all; and governed through Multi-stakeholder participation (summarized in the acronym R.O.A.M.). This concept has relevance to the Organization’s work in many areas – including online freedom of expression and privacy; efforts to advance universality in education, social inclusion and gender equality; multilingualism in cyberspace; access to information and knowledge; and ethical dimensions of information society.

An invaluable resource for students of law, politics, international relations and technology as well as for diplomats and civil society actors, this publication demonstrates how the Council of Europe contributes to ensuring that everyone’s voice online can be heard. This is key to sustainable, human rights oriented and people-centred digitalisation. Human rights matter on the internet. Without freedom of expression, people cannot participate in everything that the information society has to offer. Yet online free speech is in danger. Between state laws, private rules and algorithms, full participation in the online communicative space faces many challenges. This publication explores the profound impact of the internet on free expression and how it can be effectively secured online. The second, updated edition of this introduction into the protection of freedom of expression online answers essential questions regarding the extent and limits of freedom of expression online and the role of social networks, courts, states and organisations in online communication spaces. In clear language, with vivid examples spanning two decades of internet law, the authors answer questions on freedom of expression in cyberspace. Addressing issues from the protection of bloggers to the right to access online information, the publication also shows the importance of the standard-setting, monitoring and promotion activities of international and non-governmental organisations and includes a chapter on relevant national practice. It pays special attention to the role of European human rights law and the Council of Europe as this region’s most important human rights organisation.