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| What is ICT Policy |
| Philippine ICT Policy |
 Frameworks |
| Legal Instruments |
| Laws |
| Pending Bills |
| Executive Orders |
| Institutions |
| GENDER AND ICT Policy |
| POLICY ISSUES |
| .ph ccTLD |
| Telecommunications |
| Access |
| Free/Open Source Software |
| IPR / Open Content |
| E-Governance |
| Statistics & Indicators |
| Resources |
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Papers and Publications
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Organisations and Sites
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Mailing Lists
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| Global Spaces: WSIS and Beyond |
Unit for Internet Studies
The Unit for Internet Studies (UIS) is an interdisciplinary network of experts with an interest in the implications of the Internet for international relations in theory and practice. It provides a truly transnational platform for the exchange of ideas and intelligence on the rapidly evolving field of Internet research and engages representatives from various sectors in constructive discussions.
Circle ID
CircleID's mission is to be an effective community hub for all matters related to the Internet's core infrastructure. At the forefront of fulfilling this mission, CircleID offers a unique and open web-based platform serving the community and stake holders around the world.
Philippine League for Democratic Telecommunications Inc (PLDTi)
The Philippine League for Democratic Telecommunications (PLDTI) was founded in 1998 as a response to a proposal of the then dominant telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) to impose mandatory metered charges on local telephone calls throughout the Philippines.
PLDTI has registered its position by filing official complaints before a key government agency and at the same time attempted to elevate the issue into a public discourse through an effective media campaign. After the proposal was dumped due to public pressure, PLDTI actively worked in preventing mobile phone carriers from cutting down the allocated text messages in their respective packages.
Though unsuccessful, the issue raised enough awareness in the public consciousness about consumer rights in the telecommunications industry. PLDTI has also joined other advocates who are pushing for equity and transparency in the management of the .ph domain.
Philippine Greens
The Philippine Greens is a political formation of ecological activists and advocates currently involved in various campaigns in the Philippines on environmental and social issues. For instance, it took the lead in the 30-day hunger strike last year against the commercialization of Bt corn in the Philippines. Although not yet a political party, the Greens are engaged in talks with other environmental groups towards the building of a Green party in the Philippines.
Pabinhi
Pabinhi is a network of farmers' organizations, academics and other activists who are promoting sustainable agriculture in the Philippines. Pabinhi maintains a collection of traditional and farmer-developed rice varieties and selections, which they freely distribute
among farmers who want alternatives to chemically-dependent or hybrid varieties.
Pabinhi also promotes practices that enhance the sufficiency, income and food security of farmers, such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which raises rice yields by 50-
100 percent or more, while reducing seed, water and external costs.
Action for Economic Reforms
Action for Economic Reforms was established in 1996 by a group of progressive scholars and activists in the Philippines. It envisions a dynamic national economy characterized by sustainable development, equitable distribution of income, robust and fair trade relations, and democratic governance. Furthermore, it works for a socially oriented market economy that accentuates the complementing roles of a development-focused democratic state; a socially responsive and vibrant private sector; a growing, efficient cooperative sector; and a vigorous, organized civil society.
Center for Independent Journalism-Malaysia
The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit media organisation that aspires towards a democratic and responsible media by empowering communities to claim and protect their information and communication rights. Established in 2001, CIJ seeks to: empower communities through training and capacity building on communication and communication rights; use and expand existing space innovatively for independent media projects; support community-based media initiatives; support and defend journalists in maintaining their professional standards and conduct; and advocate legislative changes to promote and protect media freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of information.
MediACT
MediACT provides infrastructure and easier public access to independent film and videos. Set up in 2002, MediACT collaborates with the Korean film council and the association of Korean independent film and video makers. Since its inception, MediACT has been integral in media education, facility rental services, research on media activism, intervention and advocacy for public media policy on non-profit audiovisual media in Korea.
Labor News Production
Established in 1989, Labor News Production has made a number of feature length educational videos and documentaries on the independent and progressive labor movements in Korea. These materials have been widely distributed across the country to promote public awareness on issues besetting the labor sector. In addition to production, LNP also concerns itself with archiving, training, organizing, and research. Through video and other digital communication tools, LNP intends to build national and international solidarity for economic justice.
Jinbonet
Jinbonet was founded in November 1998 in Seoul, South Korea. Meaning "progressive" in Korean, Jinbonet provides online communication infrastructures and services which include web hosting, an online portal news center, and trainings especially for progressive organizations. To encourage solidarity internationally, Jinbonet has created BASE21 (Building A Solidarity Electronically in the 21st Century), an English language website providing alternative news coverage on events in South Korea. For the English pages, see http://english.jinbo.net/
Japan Computer Access for Empowerment
Japan Computer Access for Empowerment (JCAFE) provides technical assistance to non-profit organizations. It supports the growth of socio-civic activities in the Internet by promoting the strategic uses of information technologies. This, to help amplify the voices of marginalized sectors online and uphold social justice in the Information Society.
Combine Resource Institution
The Combine Resource Institution was established in April 2001 to fill in the gaps found within various efforts to build community-based information networks. Combine envisions a broad-based network of local and specific social infrastructures which empower people and develop relations among communities.
Combine fosters this vision by helping community institutions, developing information systems and alternative media, and facilitating the development of a multi-stakeholder public forum to influence decision-making on village, city, and possibly regional levels.
Institut Studi Arus Informasi - Institute for the Studies on the Free Flow of Information
The Institut Studi Arus Informasi works in the fields of media research, independent journalism and policy studies on freedom of opinion in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. In promoting freedom of the media, ISAI has been actively engaged in government policies and media content analyses and in facilitating communications among chief editors.
Through its trainings, ISAI also hones the skills of budding young journalists and supports media activists particularly those located in conflict areas. ISAI hopes that these activities will help the development of an independent journalism in Indonesia.
Apart from journalism trainings, ISAI is also engaged in publications which mainly deal with media development, censorship, and other political issues.
The Other Media
The Other Media Communications was set up to provide facilities for production and distribution of high quality media packages in both print and electronic forms. With the domination of traditional media which often sidelines the issues and concerns of civil society, OMC has become a venue for the articulation of dissenting voices in mainstream politics. It sees dissent as a creative and constructive process representing an essential space in a pluralistic society.
Stemming from this fundamental premise, the organization has initiated an experiment in finding a niche in mainstream media as well as in commercial space. It is hoped that this experiment would help in broadening and deepening the principles and values of democracy, secularism, socio-economic and gender justice.
OMC works on a wide array of topics such as struggles for self determination, people’s movements for peace and disarmament, human rights, denuclearization, environment, gender justice, indigenous peoples, religious minorities and independent political movements.
Centro Radio Communidade - Center for Community Radio
Centro Radio Communidade was established in September 2002 in Dili, East Timor. CRC supports community stations by conducting trainings on radio production, programming and management. The Center also provides technical assistance through their on call mobile technical support team.
Open Forum of Cambodia
The Open Forum of Cambodia was established in early 1995 with the aim of providing opportunities and resources for Cambodian citizens by developing new skills and insights into policy questions. The organization works for rapid private electronic mail communication within Cambodia and supports and coordinates initiatives directed to the production of free software in the Khmer language.
Through advocacy work, training and other forms of assistance, Open Forum of Cambodia intends to provide timely and structured contributions to the process of decision-making in the social, political, cultural and economic spheres of life in Cambodia. It envisions a stronger formation of more capable and politically aware citizens.
APC.au
APC.au Ltd was founded in 1997 to undertake the work of the international Association for Progressive Communications (APC) in Australia. It established the web hosting service, Community Communications Online (c2o) and in 2001 it acquired the new media arts/research & development organization, Toy Satellite.
APC.au's key area of concern, as demonstrated by this site, is to raise public awareness to information communication technology (ICT) rights and the policies that govern those rights. APC.au also provides technical assistance to community organizations in the use of electronic networking technologies and services. It helps in the development and publication of network content, in areas of community interest including environment, social development, human rights and social justice. See also http://www.c2o.org and http://wwwtoysatellite.org
Association for Women's Rights in Development
AWID is an international membership organization committed to gender equality and a just and sustainable development process. AWID facilitates an open exchange among researchers, practitioners, policymakers and others in order to develop effective and transformative approaches for improving the lives of women and girls worldwide.
Public Knowledge
Public Knowledge is a Washington DC based group advocating citizen rights in the emerging digital culture. The group includes lawyers, technologists, lobbyists, academics, volunteers and activists, and is dedicated to fortifying and defending the information commons.
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) was established in 1966 and was formally recognized as a UN-specialized agency in 1985. UNIDO has two main functions: to perform as a global forum for the effective and efficient knowledge and technology-sharing and to provide technical assistance particularly to industries in developing countries. UNIDO is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
New Literacy Portal launched
UNESCO's new Literacy Portal for sharing information on literacy projects and activities around the world, was recently launched. The Literacy Portal aims to provide a platform for information-sharing on literacy projects and activities undertaken around the world and enhance UNESCO's capacity in coordinating the United Nation Literacy Decade (UNLD) in building partnership at all level.
Literacy is one of UNESCO's three special target areas to accelerate progress towards Education for All by 2015; the others are Teacher Training and HIV/AIDS prevention education. (by UNESCO)
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.
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)
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.
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.
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)
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
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).
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)
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)
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