[Communication Rights]
Statement : Proclamation 1017, A Threat to Communication Rights
February 25, 2006

The Foundation for Media Alternatives released a statement, expressing its opposition against Presidential Proclamation 1017 which places the country under a state of emergency, effective February 24, 2006, a day before the 20th anniversary of the Edsa Revolution.

[CICT]
Search begins for new CICT chief
April 3, 2006
(full story)

After the announcement of Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), speculations arise as to who will be next CICT head. Outgoing CICT Chair Virgilio Peña admitted that he recommended someone from the private sector but refused to reveal his name. The buzz is a former high-ranking executive from a large bank is being eyed to replace him.   (By  Chin Wong and Joyce Pangco Pañares/Manila Standard Today)

Related articles:

Varied reactions to CICT chief's resignation
(full story)

CICT chairman resigns, cites personal reasons
(full story)

[Universal Access]
FMA to assess “Digital Divide” in the Philippines
February 2006

The Foundation for Media Alternatives held a focus group discussion in preparation for one of its policy papers under its research project “Policy, Praxis and Public Interest: Engendering Strategic InfoComms Policy Research in the Philippines.” “Locating the Digital Divide in the Philippines” aims to deepen existing assessment on the “digital divide” in the country by tapping socio-economic indicators and other modes of measurement.   

[FOSS]
Three New Open Source Centres of Excellence in Asia and the Pacific Region
April 2006
(full story)

The International Open Source Network (IOSN) has selected the University of the Philippines-Manila as its node in region covered by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations + 3. UPM, together with other two other centers of excellence in other regions in Asia, is expected to lead the research and development, training and networking activities which will promote the adoption of free and open source software. UPM was part of BUKAS, the NGO consortium behind the Public Interest and Advocacy Track in Linux World Philippines 2005.         

Ubuntu's Shuttleworth visits Manila
February 3, 2006

Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth made a short visit to the Philippines as part of his Asian tour.  Despite the limited time, a dialogue between Shuttleworth and civil society advocates of FOSS pushed nonetheless through on the afternoon of February 2, 2006 at the National Computer Center (NCC). The meeting was organized by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)  and Canonical, promoter of Ubuntu.

[Gender and ICT Policy]
Statement: Communication Rights  are Women's Rights
March 2006

In celebration of the International Women's Day, the Foundation for Media Alternatives reaffirms its solidarity with women's rights advocates in the Philippines and around the world. In the statement, FMA highlights the need to make information and communication technologies (ICTs) more responsive to the needs of Filipino women FMA also reiterates its call, urging the government to stop all forms of intimation and harassment particularly to media practitioners and activists, following the lifting of Presidential Proclamation 1017.

Digital Dangers: ICT and Trafficking in Women
October  2005
(full story)

Blurb: How, and how much, the internet and other ICTs are implicated in trafficking is the subject of this issue paper by The Association for Progressive Communications Women's  Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) produced in cooperation with The Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID). The paper discusses trafficking and ICTs as defined by activists in the two arenas. It asks what action can and is being taken, by governments, feminists, civil society organisations, and other actors. (APC-WNSP)

[.ph ccTLD]
Policy paper seeks  reform in .ph administration

The Foundation for Media Alternatives will tackle the dispute over the .ph country code Top Level Domain administration in one of the seven policy papers under its research project “Policy, Praxis and Public Interest: Engendering Strategic InfoComms Policy Research in the Philippines.” “Internet governance in the area of the administration of country code Top-Level Domains” aims to analyze the public interest issues surrounding the current administration of .ph and recommend policy options towards a smooth and fair redelegation process.

VOIP
4 VoIP applications approved so far--NTC exec
April 03, 2006
(full story)

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has already approved the application of four companies which intend to offer vopice over Internet protocol (VOIP) services. These companies are Transpacific Broadcast Group International, Tech Networks Corporation, PT&T and Cashrounds Inc. (By Erwin Lemuel Oliva/INQ7.net)

Related article:

Requirements for New Value-Added Service Applications
http://www.ntc.gov.ph/whatsnew-frame.html

[WSIS]
Civil  Society statement on WSIS:  Much More Could Have Been Achieved
(full story)

This is the final civil society statement for the recently concluded World Summit on the Information Society. The document summarizes the issues that were discussed in processes leading to the Geneva and the Tunis phases of WSIS. It also sets out recommendations which will hopefully enrich and extend the outcome of the Summit.  

Summit Documents:

Tunis Commitment
(full story)

Tunis Agenda for the Information Society
(full story)

Open Letter to Kofi Annan
November 24, 2005
(full story)

Due to the human rights violations done by the Tunisian government to human rights advocates  as well as local and foreign journalists in the course of the second phase of the World Summit on the Information society, the civil society  organizations sent a letter to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. The letter asks the Secretary General to investigate these cases and review the processes in selecting hosts for international events which must allow the meaningful participation of different stakeholders.   

APC recommendations on Internet governance
November  2005
(full story)

APC crystallizes a set of recommendations with regard to Internet governance for the final Summit in Tunis in November 2005 including for an Internet governance forum that has become reality in the Tunis declaration. Recommendations available in English, Spanish and French (by APC).

[PSIS]
Philippine government releases position on Internet governance
Civil society asks for more inclusive PSIS process
September 10, 2005

The Philippine Summit on the Information Society (PSIS) became the venue for the Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT) to present the country's position on Internet governance. It was only during the same event that the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) held an information session to raise and increase public awareness on the issues surrounding the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in general and Internet governance in particular. For the full text of the Philippine Government's Position on Internet Governance and other materials on CICT's consultation with other stakeholders, please visit the CICT's website, (full story)

[Resources]
From the Digital Divide to Digital Opportunities: Measuring Infostates for Development
(full story)

From the Digital Divide to Digital Opportunities: Measuring Infostates for Development -- is by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Orbicom, the Network of UNESCO Chairs in Communications. The book is a contribution to the international community in the context of the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), Tunis 2005. This project builds on the enthusiastic reception of the 'Monitoring the Digital Divide…and Beyond' report, presented at the Geneva 2003 WSIS, and offers such an instrument to the international community.  (by UNESCO)

Global Information Technology Report
(full story)

Since it was first launched in 2001, the Global Information Technology Report has become a valuable and unique benchmarking tool to determine national ICT strengths and weaknesses, and to evaluate progress. It also highlights the continuing importance of ICT application and development for economic growth. The Report uses the Networked Readiness Index (NRI), covering a total of 115 economies in 2005-2006, to measure the degree of preparation of a nation or community to participate in and benefit from ICT developments. (by WEF)

Measuring Linguistics Diversity on the Internet
(Full Story)

UNESCO has been emphasizing the concept of “knowledge societies”, which stresses plurality and diversity instead of a global uniformity in order to bridge the digital divide and to form an inclusive information society. An important element of this concept is multilingualism for cultural diversity and participation for all the languages in cyberspace. (by UNESCO)

The Net For Journalists
(Full Story)

"The Net for Journalists" is a handbook for journalists in developing countries who want to learn how to use the Internet to enhance their work. The resource is published by UNESCO, Thomson Foundation and the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association. (by UNESCO)