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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 in countries as diverse as Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Vietnam. Internews is also designing an ambitious program to bring cheap, high-speed Internet to Africa. In addition, the organization currently has projects promoting e-government, increasing transparency by getting government information and services online.

Getting people around the world connected to the information they need enables them to take charge of their lives and to participate fully in the global society.

Working for an Affordable and Democratic Internet

Internews works to make the Internet accessible to people in developing and transitional countries around the world. In 2000 Internews partnered with the Center for Democracy and Technology to establish the Global Internet Policy Initiative (GIPI), which has worked to promote an open, democratic, user- controlled Internet in 17 countries. Some recent highlights of Internews’ Internet work:

Study Tour on Internet Policy

In May 2006 Internews organized a ten-day study tour for GIPI Coordinators from ten Eurasian countries to meet with public and private stakeholders in Internet policy so they could share experiences and discuss best practices.

Cyber-Terrorism Workshop in Russia

GIPI Russia worked with several partners to coordinate a NATO-sponsored Advanced Research Workshop for over 200 participants in “Unconventional Information Warfare and the War on Terror” in November 2005. The event focused on promoting international standards in the fight against cyber- terrorism and other information security issues.

Universal Access Strategy in Kyrgyzstan

GIPI Kyrgyzstan developed a universal access strategy which was adopted by the Kyrgyz government. This strategy assures all inhabitants of Kyrgyzstan access to a telecommunication service package, which includes free connection to emergency services, telephone communication, and access to the Internet.

Internet Reform in Algeria

In association with GIPI, Internews ran a two-year process to assist in reforming Algeria’s Internet policies. Completed in March 2006, the project established a process for the Algerian government and the private sector to decide jointly what policy reforms were needed to expand Internet access and use.

One unexpected outcome of the Internews project: Internews staff worked with the Muslim Scouts of Algeria (SMA) to develop an Internet merit badge, believed to be the first such badge adopted by any national scouting organization.

Pushing for Fast Internet in Africa

Under a research grant from the National Science Foundation, Internews is investigating the feasibility of economically providing very high bandwidth connectivity to the research and education communities of a few key African countries, starting with Ghana and Senegal. By developing the Internet competency of the scientific, medical, and academic communities there, and linking them with counterparts in the United States, the aim is to spur provision of fast and inexpensive Internet across Africa.

Promoting Transparency through e-Government

Over the past five years, with the rise of information technologies, there has been increasing focus on e-government—putting government services and information online—for both developed and developing countries. Facing pressure from outside donors to reduce corruption, and motivated to cut costs while promoting citizen participation, even some of the least developed nations of the world are beginning to explore e-government.

To guide countries through the complex process of implementing e-government solutions, Internews is developing a comprehensive knowledge map and “toolkit” with global best practices and case studies on e-government. Available online, the information includes training materials on e-government and even software code for particular e-government applications.

The project, which began in February 2006, is funded under a grant to Internews from infoDev, a global partnership of housed at the World Bank, that focuses on how information and communication technologies (ICT) can combat poverty and promote opportunity in developing countries.

Some of the most popular e-government services are tax reporting and collection; licensing, certificates, and permits; procurement of goods and services; public health and safety programs; and election registration and voting. The knowledge map and toolkit includes detailed recommendations and examples of these and many other applications.

Internews’ partners in the infoDev project include the Center for Democracy and Technology, Transnational Data Reporting Service, and SONAS Innovation.

Internews is currently also developing and implementing e-government solutions for Macedonia’s public sector, under a five-year grant from the US Agency for International Development.

E-government applications designed to increase the transparency and efficiency of Macedonia’s government services have included an Apply Online application for civil service jobs which has increased the average number of applicants for each position from 7 to 42. Internews is also implementing e-procurement, e-tax, and e-health applications in Macedonia, among others.

Internews has experience with planning and implementing e-government projects in countries as diverse as Romania, Kenya, and Nepal.

In January 2006 the World Bank asked Internews to make a presentation: Increasing Efficiency and Accountability through E-Government.

Using Information Technology to Foster Independent Media

Besides promoting open Internet and telecom policy, Internews uses information and communications technologies (ICTs) in innovative ways to strengthen local, independent media.

Traveling for training is often difficult for journalists due to the expense and the difficulty of replacing absent employees. In Russia and Ukraine, Internews has implemented distance learning programs to raise the professional standards of journalists in a cost-effective and accessible way.

Using software developed by Internews Russia, online news sites in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan give media outlets and alternative source of news while building professional connections among regions.

Recognizing that the Internet offers greater editorial freedom and the ability to publish breaking news, most leading newspapers in the Middle East and beyond have launched web editions. Internews has provided training in online journalism in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Russia and Kyrgyzstan. This training, which includes web design and Internet skills, helps to provide media professionals with the tools they need to develop alternative news outlets.

Links

Information Policy Blog

The Center for Democracy and Technology works to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age.