The Special Rapporteur’s Report to the UN Human Rights Council describes when Governments should regulate access and describes a three part cumulative test.<br> <br><a href="http://documents.latimes.com/un-report-internet-rights/">http://documents.latimes.com/un-report-internet-rights/</a><br>
<br>The journalist who reported on the Report did not report on the tests which I find interesting, on page 8.<br> <br> <br>There are generally accepted principles that the right to freedom of expression can be curtailed in certain instances. Frank La Rue (Special Rapporteur) advises and the Report states in page 8 of the Report that any limitation to the right of freedom of expression must pass a three-part cumulative test (excerpt from Report are highlighted in yellow):-<br>
<br> (a) <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">It must be provided by law</font>, which is clear and accessible to everyone (principles of predictability and transparency); and <br> <br>(b) <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">It must pursue one of the purposes set out in article 19, paragraph 3, of the Covenant</font>, namely <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">(i) to protect the rights or reputations of others</font>, or <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">(ii) to protect national security or of public order, or of public health or morals (principle of legitimacy);</font> and <br>
<br>(c) <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">It must be proven as necessary and the least restrictive means required to achieve the purported aim</font> (principles of necessity and proportionality). <br> <br>Moreover, any legislation restricting the right to freedom of expression must be applied by a body which is independent of any political, commercial, or other unwarranted influences in a manner that is neither arbitrary nor discriminatory, and with adequate safeguards against abuse, including the possibility of challenge and remedy against its abusive application. <br>
<br><font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ff0000">25. As such, legitimate types of information which may be restricted include child pornography (to protect the rights of children),8 hate speech (to protect the rights of affected communities),9 defamation (to protect the rights and reputation of others against unwarranted attacks), direct and public incitement to commit genocide (to protect the rights of others),10 and advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence (to protect the rights of others, such as the right to life).<br>
</font><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 11:42 PM, Louis Pouzin (well) <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:pouzin@well.com">pouzin@well.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
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<div class="im">On Fri, Jun 3, 2011 at 3:46 PM, Imran Ahmed Shah <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:ias_pk@yahoo.com" target="_blank">ias_pk@yahoo.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
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<div>some more coverage in the news:</div>
<div><a href="http://www*.infowars.com/microsoft-proposes-government-licensing-internet-access/" target="_blank">http://www.infowars.com/microsoft-proposes-government-licensing-internet-access/</a></div>
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<div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif">"<span style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; LINE-HEIGHT: 18px; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif">State should have power to block individual computers from connecting to world wide web, claims Charne</span>"</div>
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<div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif">It was posted in 2010, but it was discussed over here to and asked me to about the policies and guidelines in the framework of Internet Governance.</div>
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<div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif">Thanks</div>
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<div style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif">Imran </div></font>
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<div><br> - - -<br>At first sight Scott Charney's proposal could be discarded as a joke. Since joking is not exactly M$ style, why would they use such a thick fig-leaf (calling on gov supervision) to conceal their real agenda ? Are they expecting some positive reaction to the prospect of a (worldwide) morality agency ? Quite unlikely. Are they trying to position M$ as a world leader in internet protection ? Perhaps. Do they have a concrete plan for exercising a leading role ? Well, the plan may be flawed but it does exist.<br>
<br>Try googling <i>scott charney microsoft internet</i>, you'll get a flurry of links to recent Charney's speeches starting on various premises but ending with a recurring proposition: <b>M$ understands the problem, and they got the tools</b>. E.g. last parag of:<br>
<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/charney/2011/02-15rsa2011.mspx" target="_blank">http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/charney/2011/02-15rsa2011.mspx</a><br><br>Good old marketing spin, attract attention, and instill the message.<br>
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<br><br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>
<div>Sala</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Stillness in the midst of the noise".</div><br>