Dear all, Welcome to the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor e-updates No. 2. Here you will find a selection of the latest additions on the Africa ICT Policy Monitor Website chosen by our editors including: - News - Information - Resources - Upcoming Events - Featured Organizations Also do send us your comments or feedback about the Africa ICT Policy Monitor Website. Kind Regards, Editor APC Africa Policy Monitor Website //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// NEWS South Africa: Industry adopts 'wait and see' approach to deregulation <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28583> 24/11/2004 (Rodney Weidemann - ITWeb <http://www.itweb.co.za/>) -- Following yesterday's clarification by the regulator regarding the minister's deregulation announcements, the industry has expressed 'cautious optimism' about the fact that the authority has chosen to take the more open view on the issue. Resonance of broken promises <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28603> 24/11/2004 (By Steven Lang - Highway Africa News Agency <http://www.highwayafrica.ru.ac.za/hana/index.asp>) -- Freedom of expression and the freedom of journalists to exercise their profession rocketed to the top of the agenda at a conference on the role of the media in the information society, taking place in Marrakech, Morocco. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21807e_1> WSIS PrepCom2 will be "stormy" <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28607> 23/11/2004 (Ralf Bendrath <mailto:wsis@boell.de> - Heinrich Böll Foundation <http://www.worldsummit2005.org/>) -- The UN Information and Communication Technology Task Force (UN ICT TF) met in Berlin last week, and civil society groups had a number of meetings around this event. The conflicts and coalitions in the second phase of the WSIS are becoming clearer now. One major dispute is to be expected over financing. New Fund for African Community Radio <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28601> 22/11/2004 (Guy Berger - HANA <http://www.highwayafrica.ru.ac.za/hana/index.asp>) -- African community radio may get a boost from the formation of an international task force to investigate setting up an international fund to underwrite resources for the sector, a meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco decided today (21 November, 2004). <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21807e_1> Kenya: Draft policy on information technology is ready <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28439> 21/11/2004 (Dauti Kahura - East African Standard <http://www.eastandard.net>) -- A draft information and communication technology policy is now ready for discussion by the Cabinet. The draft National Information and Communication Policy has been released just in time for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) conference scheduled for Tunis next year. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21843e_1> Cost and access are key determinants of VoIP growth in Africa, says CTO report <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28378> 19/11/2004 (CTO <http://www.cto.int>) -- A report on the prospects and challenges for growth of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephony in Africa launched on Monday by the CTO identifies affordability and access as critical factors that will determine the future of the technology. The report was presented yesterday afternoon in London to members of the development community, government representatives and the private sector. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22175e_1> Angola: Media groups recommend opening up the airwaves <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28380> 18/11/2004 (IRIN <http://www.irinnews.org/>) -- After years of political instability, transforming Angola's state-run media into public service institutions is seen as a fundamental step to entrenching democracy, according to a group of international media watchdogs. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21810e_1> Zimbabwe: Government Toughens Repressive Media Law <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28323> 17/11/2004 (MISA & RSF - IFEX <http://www.ifex.org/>) -- With national elections in Zimbabwe slated for March 2005, the embattled administration of President Robert Mugabe is making it clear that critical media coverage will not be tolerated. Parliament has passed amendments to the already repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) that lengthen jail terms and increase fines for journalists caught working without government accreditation. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21820e_1> Nigerian Domain name .ng programme on course -says Nigeria Internet Group <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28276> 16/11/2004 (Chidiebere Nwankwo - Businessday Online <http://www.businessdayonline.com/>) -- The trouble surrounding the Nigeria top level domain (TLD) name, (.ng,) seems to be gradually phasing out and one of the key stakeholders has noted that progress has been achieved in finding a permanent solution to the domain administrative crisis. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21833e_1> <> Liberian: Govt Limits Number Of Mobile Operators To Four <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_2&x=28202> 14/11/2004 (Russell Southwood - Balancing Act's News Update <http://www.balancingact-africa.com>) -- The Government of Liberia last week (12 Nov) declared that the maximum number of GSM Cellphone operators in the country shall not exceed four at any point in time. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the government said it has established that GSM licenses have been over-issued. To date, there are nine operators with contracts and eight licenses. Frequencies have been over-allocated and not offered at market prices. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22175e_1> CRIS calls for international mobilisation on the UNESCO Draft Convention on Cultural Diversity <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_2&x=28207> 14/11/2004 (CRIS <http://www.crisinfo.org>) -- The Communication Rights in the Information Society Campaign, an international network of organisations and individuals working to ensure that Communication Rights are central to any vision of an information society, is mobilising around the forthcoming negotiations on the UNESCO Draft Convention on Cultural Diversity. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1> Ghana: BusyInternet receives World Bank grant for incubator programme <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_2&x=28275> 13/11/2004 (GhanaWeb <http://www.ghanaweb.com>) -- BusyInternet Ghana Limited, a private Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre, has received a grant of 100,000 dollars from the World Bank- administered Information for Development (InfoDev) Programme to expand its ''business incubation portfolio'' in Accra. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21827e_1> Zambia: Journalists push for access to information <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_2&x=28381> 12/11/2004 (IRIN <http://www.irinnews.org>) -- Media workers in Zambia have again demanded enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill, more than two years after the proposed law was withheld for "wider consultation". //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// INFORMATION Internet Governance: The battle lines are drawn <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28602> 24/11/2004 -- Who should run the Internet? A key battle in this drawn-out war for control of the Internet commenced in Geneva today (23 November) with a UN team kicked off the first of several sessions dealing with Internet governance. Meanwhile, in Marrakech, a taste of the issues was raised at a conference on the role of the media in the information society. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21869se_1> Creating an Environment for ICT in Tanzania - Policy, Regulation and Markets <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28618> 24/11/2004 -- This article is about creating a sound environment for ICT in Tanzania. It focuses solely on those factors identified as being key enablers for increased ICT utilisation. The case study identifies three phases of Tanzanian ICT development - recognition (until 1993), orientation (1994-1999), and departure (since 2000) - and analyses basic tendencies in policy, regulative and market developments for each of the phases. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1> E-Learning in Zambia: A Dream or Reality? <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28559> 16/11/2004 -- Education around the globe is undergoing dramatic changes - from "schoolhouse based" models to various forms of "network based" education. Today, E-learning has emerged as a form of delivering education. However, the greatest challenge with e Learning is whether it can produce a fundamental change in an education system. Zambia <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21819e_1> | Training and Education <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21878se_1> Open Source Observatory <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28396> 19/11/2004 -- The European Commission's Open Source Observatory (OSO) is a clearinghouse of information related to free/libre/open source software in the public sector, and is intended to promote and spread the use of best practices in Europe. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1> Power Up with ICT <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28440> 21/11/2004 -- Power Up with Information Technology is a reader and trove of resources on the status of Information and Communication Technology in Kenya. The Contents includes challenges, opportunities, experiences and best practice with ICT in Education, Agriculture, Co-ops and Sacco's, Healthcare, Trade and Government. The book is organised in 4 parts: policy, infrastructure, human resources, and content. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21843e_1> Legislation on Media, Speech and Expression in Ghana <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28324> 17/11/2004 -- Researching Ghana's laws pertaining to media and freedom of expression should now be easier thanks to a new reference guide published by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). The IFEX member has just launched "Legislation on Media, Speech and Expression in Ghana: A Source Book. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21827e_1> <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21872se_1> Internet Governance: A Grand Collaboration <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28305> 16/11/2004 -- The papers contributed to the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force (ICT TF) Global Forum on Internet Governance contain a lot of useful information on how many different organizations are already governing the Internet and its effects on society. At the same time the papers suggest that a number of important issues are not being addressed effectively, and that in some areas there is an urgent need to put in place new arrangements to counter real and present threats to the stability and utility of the Internet. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1> The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority ACT, 2003 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28645> 24/11/2004 -- An Act to establish the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority for the purpose of regulation of telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services; to provide for allocation and management of radio spectrum, covering electronic technologies and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) applications and to provide for its operation in place of former authorities and for related matters. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1> South Africa: ICASA's Interpretation of the Ministerial Determinations for the Telecommunications Legislation <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28563> 23/11/2004 -- Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)'s Interpretation of the Ministerial Determinations for the Telecommunications Legislation media release. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> Tanzania: Govt seeks views on communications bill <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28641> 25/11/2004 -- The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has appealed to stakeholders and the public in general to read, discuss and air their views on the draft of the Electronic and Postal Communications Bill, so that the envisaged Act takes into account the interests of Tanzanians and the existing policies. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1> ICANN, the ITU and WSIS and Internet Governance <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28395> 19/11/2004 -- This article looks at the concept of "Internet Governance" in the context of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873se_1> Mobile calls still too costly in Kenya <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28303> 16/11/2004 -- Last week(11th Nov) the Communication Commission of Kenya awarded Econet Wireless Kenya its long awaited mobile telephone license. This was determined by an auction method. The ambitious telco got the licence at a price of $27 million. Safaricom and KenCell (re-named Celtel) had to pay more for the same kind of a license. But that was then. High license fees paid by the current two operators have delayed recouping of investments. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21843e_1> Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) Policy Document <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28661> 25/11/2004 -- The Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICTDAD) policy represents the vision of Ghana in the information age. It is based on the policy framework document: "An Integrated ICT led Social-economic Development Policy and Plan Development Framework for Ghana". The development of this policy framework was based on a nation-wide consultative process involveing all key stakeholders in the public sector, private sector and civil soceity. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21827e_1> A Media Policy for Ghana <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28663> 25/11/2004 -- The Policy broadly sketches the main national and global influences that have led to the present development of the media in Ghana. It discusses the issues and principles that arise from these influences and developments. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21827e_1> Mauritius: National Telecommunications Policy 2004 <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28664> 25/11/2004 -- This document outlines the overall policy objectives and targets for the telecommunications sector and spells out the strategies to be adopted. It also sets out the methodology to ensure fair, effective and sustainable competition for the new market paradigm. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21814e_1> Tanzania National ICT Policy (March 2003) <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28640> 24/11/2004 -- The Tanzania Development Vision 2025 envisages a nation imbued with five main attributes: high quality livelihood; peace, stability and unity; good governance; a well educated and learning society; and a strong and competitive economy capable of producing sustainable growth and shared benefits. On the other hand, this Policy has articulated ten main focus areas in harnessing ICT in Tanzania which include strategic ICT leadership; ICT infrastructure; ICT Industry; Human Capital; Legal and Regulatory Framework; Productive Sectors; Service Sectors; Public Service; Local Content; and Universal Access. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1> Connecting the Next Ten Million People in Nigeria <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28443> 21/11/2004 -- This presentation first provides a quick overview of the telecommunications landscape in Nigeria and reports on the journey so far. Secondly takes a look at the global ICT landscape highlighting where Africa and Nigeria are today. Thirdly shares I the authors views on how we can sustain the gains made in the past four years and what must be in place to double the teledensity in Nigeria as soon as possible. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21833e_1> Nigerian Communications Communication Policy & Strategic Thrust - 2005 and Beyond <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28444> 21/11/2004 -- The Nigerian Communications Communication (NCC) strategic thrust for 2004 -2006 is "Attaining Efficiency in the Telecoms Industry" . With emphasis being placed on efficiency in telecom service delivery and improved quality geared towards delighting the 'Consumers'. The 2005 sub-theme is Consumer Satisfaction as a pathway to Growth. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21833e_1> Presentation on Internet Analysis Report 2004 - Protocol and Governance <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28204> 14/11/2004 -- As part of the ITU Strategic Planning Unit (SPU) seminar series, Ian Peter, Internet Mark 2 Project, gave a presentation to ITU staff on Internet Governance entitled Internet Analysis Report 2004 - Protocols and Governance . The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA): Two Years On <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28325> 17/11/2004 -- This report focuses on the first two years of Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), describing the legislation, critiquing it and providing an overview of the way in which it has been implemented and the impact this has had on the free flow of information and ideas in Zimbabwe. It also provides an overview of the context in which AIPPA operates, including other repressive laws and measures, which prevent independent perspectives from being voiced. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21820e_1> <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21875se_1> <> CTO survey sees difficulties for consensus on Internet governance <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28611> 20/11/2004 -- A preliminary survey by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) warns of potential difficulties within the international community in reaching consensus over the governance of the Internet, one of the two fundamental issues, together with the funding of the efforts to bridge the Digital Divide, that the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS II) is expected to address. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1> //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// RESOURCES SADC Media Law Handbook for Media Practitioners <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=re_1&x=28560> A comparative overview of the media law environment and practice in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa published by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Nelson Mandela Institute, Law School - University of the Witwatersrand. //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// UPCOMING EVENTS *23/11/2004*, International <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1> Working Group on Internet Governance, United Nations -Geneva <http://www.wgig.org> The first meeting of the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) will be held at the United Nations in Geneva on 23 and 25 November 2004. Consultations open to Governments, civil society organizations and private sector entities will be held on 24 November. The members of WGIG are to be nominated by the United Nations Secretary-General. *01/12/2004*, South Africa <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> ICANN Meeting in Cape Town <http://www.icanncapetown.co.za/> The third round of ICANN meetings in 2004 will be held 1-5 December 2004 in Cape Town, South Africa. The meetings are free to attend, and open to any interested person. ICANN encourages broad participation in its bottom-up consensus-development process. You can take part in these meetings by attending in person, by taking part in the webcast and remote participation opportunities, and/or by joining one of the various ICANN-related mailing lists. *01/12/2004*, South Africa <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> Workshop: Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=28614> The IDN Workshop will build upon the achievements of the previous workshop held on 21 July 2004 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia. The public is invited to provide suggestions for topics and questions that should be addressed during the workshop by submitting these to the IDN Discuss Forum. *06/12/2004*, South Africa <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1> Africa Electronic Privacy and Public Voice Symposium <http://www.thepublicvoice.org/events/capetown04/default.html> The Africa Electronic Privacy and Public Voice Symposium will be held in Cape Town, South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island, on December 6, 2004 in conjunction with the ICANN meeting. *07/12/2004*, Kenya <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21843e_1> New Communication Technologies Forum in Kenya <http://www.aitecafrica.com/events/2004/VOIP-Forum/register.ph> In response to recent market developments, AITEC is holding a New Communications Technology Forum in Kenya over 7-9 December, focusing on GPRS and VoIP. //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// FEATURED ORGANIZATIONS * eThink Tank <http://www.ethinktanktz.org>* A group of Tanzanians from various walks of life who have been concerned for some time at the lack of coordination on information communication technologies (ICT) as they impact Tanzania and its development. A number of key drivers prompted our group to constitute ourselves as an informal association, which we agreed to call the eThink Tank. Some of our founder members kindly offered to host and facilitate the eThink Tank's early discussion sessions, inviting potential partners in the public and private sectors to engage in dialogue on a weekly basis. *e-Brain Forum <http://www.ebrain.org.zm>* The e-Brain Forum is a non-profit organization that is working to promote the use and application of ICTs for Socio economic development. *The Power Up Campaign <http://www.powerup.co.ke>* The Power Up! campaign is a educative multi-media programme to grow ICT champions around the county who can support people locally in entering the 'Information Society'. The campaign will demystify ICT and help people recognise effective usage. The programme includes a number of public events, a book with literature that brings you up to speed with ICT. //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// ABOUT APC The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of information and communication technologies, especially internet-related technologies. APC and its members in more than 30 countries pioneer practical and relevant uses of ICTs for civil society. APC is an international facilitator of civil society's engagement with ICTs and related concerns, in both policy and practice. APC: http://www.apc.org. APC and ICT Policy Advocacy in Africa APC's Communications and Information Policy Programme aims to contribute to more enabling ICT policy environments through promoting inclusive policy processes. In Africa APC is doing this through the Africa ICT Policy Monitor project which aims to enable civil society organisations to engage in ICT policy development to promote an information society based on social justice and human rights. APC's Africa ICT Policy Monitor: http://africa.rights.apc.org The APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor is supported by HIVOS and the International Research Development Centre (IDRC). //\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\//\// -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna Africa Policy Monitor Project Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Email: africa.rights@apc.org Web: http://africa.rights.apc.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ========== HURIDOCS-Tech listserv ========== Send mail intended for the list to <huridocs-tech@hrea.org>. 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