Global Issues

Internet Access

Through the Global Internet Policy Initiative, Internews works to make the Internet affordable and accessible to people in developing countries. Photo: Bill Lyons Photography

Access to information is fundamental to empowerment. Recognizing the impact of increasing digital convergence, in 2000 Internews expanded the scope of its work from supporting independent media to ensuring people’s access to information through whatever technological means they choose. When a piece of news can reach someone as easily via a TV news program, an Internet blog posting, or a text message on their mobile phone, the message transcends the medium. Access is key to the free flow of news and information.

Through a myriad of projects, working with national governments and key stakeholders, Internews is creating an enabling environment for an affordable and user-controlled Internet.

Internews Network Supports an Open and Global Discussion on the Internet

Internews recognizes that the internet plays a critical role in the flow of information that drives economic development, promotes discussion of social issues, and supports education and globalization. At the same time, the internet brings new challenges including cybercrime and the growing digital gap within regions and countries. There is also the need for local cultures to maintain their identities within a medium that is inherently global.

For over a decade, Internews has looked at how to address those tensions in a balanced and global way. The challenge is finding technical, legal, ethical and practical solutions that allow for an affordable and accessible internet while protecting the rights of internet users both individually and collectively. Some of the programs where Internews has addressed these issues include the Global Internet Policy Initiative (GIPI), a project implemented in partnership with the Center for Democracy and Technology that works to promote policies that supports an equitable open internet in many countries.  Currently, Internews has funding from the US State Department to explore broader access issues and to assist users globally to access the internet. In addition, Internews has joined the Global Network Initiative (GNI) which works to help international companies develop principles for protecting freedom of expression and user privacy based on international human rights standards.