FREEDOM ONLINE: INTERNATIONAL CONFRENCE ON INTERNET SELF-REGULATION IN BAKU

Today , the Institute for Reporters` Freedom and Safety, with financial support from the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, held an international conference titled Freedom Online: Internet self-regulation. The main subject was how to regulate the internet—whether through self-regulation or if government should also play a role or take the lead in internet regulation.

Representatives of civil society, government officials, bloggers, journalists, and international and local experts attended the conference. Based on the opinions expressed during the event, recommendations will be prepared to hold an International Internet Forum in October of next year in Azerbaijan.




"There are two types of information space in Azerbaijan. There are people who criticize the Azerbaijani government, and people who praise the Azerbaijani government. Issues which are not covered in the traditional media are covered on the internet and this is favorable to the public interest of the country" said Melissa Stone, Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Baku.

IREX Media Law Expert Alesger Memmedli said that the government can have a role to play in internet regulation, but that a system of licensing for internet TV or radio is inadmissible. Internet should be free he said, but internet users should also understand their responsibilities.

Participants reacted strongly against statements released by government officials on internet regulation and licensing.

"People suffer from the sector which is regulated by government. When economy is regulated, monopoly is increasing; when education is regulated, illiteracy is increasing; when television is regulated, there is no audience, said REAL Movement Co-founder Ilgar Mammadov. He continued that the government cannot regulate the internet in Azerbaijan, because as an authoritarian state, it, itself, is not regulated by the people:

"The head of Public-Political Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Ali Hasanov, and National Television and Radio Council Chairman Nishiravan Maharramli have brought up regulation issues. There is need for regulation of these persons by the internet community. The public regulates state policy in democratic countries."

Experts said that internet self-regulation exists. Today , the Institute for Reporters` Freedom and Safety, with financial support from the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, held an international conference titled Freedom Online: Internet self-regulation. The main subject was how to regulate the internet—whether through self-regulation or if government should also play a role or take the lead in internet regulation.

Representatives of civil society, government officials, bloggers, journalists, and international and local experts attended the conference. Based on the opinions expressed during the event, recommendations will be prepared to hold an International Internet Forum in October of next year in Azerbaijan.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• FREEDOM
• ONLINE:
• INTERNATIONAL
• CONFRENCE
• ON
• INTERNET
• SELF-REGULATION
• IN
• BAKU