Global Interest In Protecting Electronic Free Expression
Concerns have been raised by numerous stakeholders regarding the potential for UN's World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) process to undermine freedom of expression. For example, ICANNfocus has highlighted the fact that some of the counties participating in the WSIS process are seeking global rules supporting censorship and that UNESCO, a UN agency which is playing a key role in WSIS, is wondering "whether universal free expression standards should be applied to the Internet...." ICANNfocus has also noted that supporters of free expression, such as Reporters Without Boarders, are troubled by the fact that major WSIS conferences and preparatory events are being held in countries which repress freedom of the press.

It is important for all stakeholders to recognize that support for freedom of expression on the internet and concern regarding major aspects of the WSIS process are being voiced by stakeholders far beyond the United States. For example, the Morocco Times is reporting that "A joint monitoring visit to Tunisia undertaken by members of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) expressed serious concerns over continued freedom of expression and civil liberties' violations in Tunisia, including gross restrictions on freedom of the press, media, publishing and the Internet..."

The news report explains that the visit by the IFEX Tunisia Monitoring Group "was organized in preparation for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS)..." and that the "purpose of the visit was to evaluate the state of freedom of expression in Tunisia and to assess the conditions for participation in the Summit...."

The IFEX delegation included representatives of the "Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, International PEN Writers in Prison Committee, International Publishers Association, Norwegian PEN, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters and the World Press Freedom Committee..." The delegation "met with Tunisian writers, publishers and human rights organizations as well as government officials and government-sponsored agencies."

Major concerns expressed by the IFEX delegation included "the blocking of websites, including news and information websites; blocking of the distribution of books and publications; restrictions on the freedom of association... restrictions on movement of human rights activists together with police surveillance, intimidation and interception of communications; lack of pluralism in broadcast ownership... press censorship and lack of diversity of content in newspapers; imprisonment of individuals for their opinions and media activities; and the use of torture by the security services with impunity."

At a time when diverse countries are moving toward democracy and freedom, it would be a major step backwards if rules governing the internet are developed in locations and by participants who oppose freedom.