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Fw: RE: Kibaki signs Bill into law
by John Walubengo 06 Jan '09

06 Jan '09

looks like this response was burning and cant wait for next weeks discussion on the same. walu. --- On Tue, 1/6/09, Concerned Citizen <kenyacitizen(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: Concerned Citizen <kenyacitizen(a)gmail.com> > Subject: RE: [kictanet] Kibaki signs Bill into law > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 11:24 AM > Please post this view on Kictanet. > > Four things are annoying this concerned citizen about this > debate. > > 1) The media has doen the country a dis-service by failing > to > highlight the good in this act. generally the media should > stop > chasing after the horse which has already bolted the > stable. The bill > is now an act. As far "media" concerns go - the > ONLY way to get rid of > offending emergency clause is to take the bill back to > parliament. > For the media to now paint the picture that the whole > fracas is the > fault of the executive is wrong. It was not the executive > that > approved this bill in various readings in parliament - it > was our MPs. > Why aren't we hearing more about that? > 2) Just who is the "media" we are talking about > here? Are the > interests of journalists who work on a daily basis being > represented > here? Personally I have not seen any notable JOURNALIST > supporters of > the bill complain about the bill. Could this be because > they know (as > a growing number of the public are coming to know)that this > is too > much ado about something that cannot now be changed? > 3) For Mr Makali to dismiss the concerns of the ICT > community on this > bill is short-sighted and arrogant. The ICT community has > been > campaigning for several clauses within the bill to be > passed for many > many years - its passing is major cause for celebration for > the entire > country as it creates new business opportunities that will > enrich OUR > economy. In my view, the good in this bill surpasses the > few negative > clauses that are being shoted about from every available > roof-top. > 4) As a member of the media I have never felt so cowed or > suppressed > in my life. My colleagues and I have been forced to accede > to this > "media" agenda without any consultation. > When the Media Bill (see how these ill-thought > abbreviations confuse > the public???) of last year was under debate, we happily > took to the > streets to fight for our press freedoms. > What is happening now is a travesty of our industry - what > was an > ordered campaign against unfair legislation is now becoming > a > witch-hunt where the power of the media is been used > negatively to > attack various structures. > Those who are shouting are risking the very same heavy > investments by > the media they seek to protect and reversing the gains its > taken > decades for this country to acheive which could now be > under a more > serious threat of misuse by a few individuals for personal > gain. > > There is no other industry that needs regulation as much as > the media right now. > > I think what the media should push for now - in the > public's interest > - is a review of the offending clauses by our non-tax > paying friends > in parliament and further, a review of the act itself which > attempts > to lump too many industries togther. > > The views I hold do not reresent the views of my employers > and are > purely personal in nature. > -----Original Message----- > On Behalf Of dmakali(a)yahoo.com > Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 9:15 PM > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kibaki signs Bill into law > > Barrack, I don't see our pt of diff. Media are the > first users of ict > and thea is no doubt ict is imptant in a modern ecoomy. > But that's > it. So is freedom of speech and access to information. > And we don't have to compare media and ict. What I > state and repeat is > the tendency by ict buffs to think only ict in isolation or > see > nothing wrong else with the aw as long as their concerns > are taken > care of, then say dismissively that there are other > iinstitutions to > deal with their legitimate concerns or reason should > prevail. Which? > How come ict folks are not raising their voices on thoz > issues they > acknowledge media have except as btw or in a back handed > manner? Am > very awake to the fact the country desperately needed to > kick up the > ict sector with facilitative legislation. I have personally > suffered > from its lacking. But we can't gloss over fundamental > issues out of > that desperation! > China has all the ict you want but wat kind of society is > it. You > can't enjoy ict in a repressive environment. And this > country is in > the cusp of potential tyranny midwifed by our unresolved > political > equations that we are just about to begin to resolve. If > any political > axis should be handed control over the media, even with its > weaknesses, you will rue the day you dismissed our > protestations. > I have written too much and may be I feel too strongly > about this but > no emotions. Straight shooting perhaps. > David > > Sent from my BlackBerry(R) wireless device > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Barrack Otieno" > <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> > > Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 20:36:51 > To: <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy > Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kibaki signs Bill into law > > > Bwana Makali, > I think you are being sensational, lets try and get > emotions out of > this argument, for as long as i can remember media > practioners have > always rubbished the role of ICT in the countries > socio-political > landscape, i witnessed this behaviour in a forum sponsored > by Unesco > at the Grand Regency a couple of years ago which was > apparently > chaired by CEO's from leading media houses and i can > see bwana makali > repeating it on this list which is unaccepatble here even > though we > are democratic!!, give us a break sir. None the less may be > we need > our own ministry as Dr Siganga says to champion the ICT > agenda and > save us from this circus. The Media has a point and we all > agree that > there are contentious issues that need to be sorted out > however let > reason prevail, we have instituions in place to handle this > kind of > problems and they need to be put into use > > On Mon, Jan 5, 2009 at 6:59 PM, <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> > wrote: > > The media's ref to the comm amendm bill 2008 > (yuck!) as media or ict bill is attributable to two factors. > The media have a right and an editorial licence to > abbreviate long and cumbersome names. Do you guys know how > difficult it is to write headlines? Write one to test your > editorial skills - 25 letters across 40cms and include all > that communications bla bla!? > > Second, the media have a right to christen anything > for ease of reference. Why aren't you media phobes > complaining about ndungu, waki, kriegler or whatever other > commissions that don't exist in fact and which you have > quite happily swallowed? wats wrong with the media or ict or > (next) postal bill if it captures the essence of what is on > the table or disputed? I find it trite argument to insist > that the media have misrepresented the bill. If there is > nothing contestable about the others, or they are less > controversial or for whatever reason they dim in > significance, what is the big deal? > > Finally, of course, some media could just have failed > to see the bigger picture and erroneously referred to it as > media bill. In which case that all fair in war and love. You > can't moan till morning. > > Let's face the facts. The law has bad provisions > that only myopic and selfish people or those with axes to > grind the media can't see. Unfortunately, it takes a > very short time before the reality catches up with such > people wen they find themselves on the receiving end. > > Jog your memory. > > David > > Sent from my BlackBerry(R) wireless device > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: "waudo siganga" > <emailsignet(a)mailcan.com> > > > > Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:35:00 > > To: <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy > Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kibaki signs Bill into law > > > > > > Thanks for noting the changing goal posts in terms of > the title of this > > Law Alice. In fact a short while ago some referred to > it as the "ICT > > Bill" before briefly reverting to Kenya > Communications (Amendment) Bill > > 2008 and then finally resting at "Media > Bill". For me I think I > > understand the reasons for this confusion, > particularly for the public: > > this is a compound Law in one basket. The lesson I > learn is that in > > future we need to change some things otherwise it is > possible to reach a > > stage where useful ICT Policy, Legislative and > regulatory development > > processes are held back by things that really have > nothing to do with > > ICT. What if the courier services who are now > regulated by this Law had > > successfully opposed it? We would be missing > e-transactions legislation > > simply because of a function that has nothing to do > with ICT. > > For starters, the Government should restructure so > that we have an ICT > > only Ministry like they have in India, Egypt, > Mauritius and other > > countries worth copying. For many years after > independence we had a > > Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. That Minstry > should be revived > > to focus on the interests of our media brothers. > > Right now it is very difficult to pin down what is > "ICT" in Kenya. Some > > of the issues being brought under the umbrella of > "ICT" are those that > > the real ICT people cannot contribute to. Some people > are saying > > everything is OK because of "convergence". > But as can be seen, even > > trying to converge Laws is an issue unto itself. > > > > Waudo > > On Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:47:32 +0300, "alice" > <alice(a)apc.org> said: > >> I agree and for Pete's/Jane's sake could > media drop the "media bill" > >> reference. It is the Kenya Communications > (Amendment) bill 2008, which > >> covers much much more than broadcasting issues. > and much more > >> importantly it finally deals with issues of > convergence from a > >> technological, content, regulatory, as well as > economic perspective. it > >> is important that the communications > "sector" adapts to this global > >> convergence trend/scenario, because it will > provide for expansion of > >> universal access to ICTs, in terms of reducing > costs while stimulating > >> economic and social growth. This can only be done > through appropriate > >> ICT policy and regulatory mechanisms, which the > bill provides for. > >> > >> What we should be focusing on are the challenges > that will come with > >> this dynamic because adaption to convergence is > not the end point. > >> > >> > >> > >> best > >> alice > >> > >> p.s. views are personal and not a reflection of > any of the > >> institutions/organisations I am affiliated with. > >> > >> > Great suggestions, > >> > > >> > I feel we can support the media but not > in-toto. > >> > > >> > First, it would be nice of the MoA et. al. to > let go of the negative > >> > "Media Bill" campaign and engage > constructively with other players. > >> > > >> > Secondly, media should consider calling ICT > advocacy personalities to > >> > a forum where they can share how ICT issues > have successfully been > >> > incorporated without the animosity that is > common when advocating for > >> > media issues. > >> > > >> > I believe the media needs to feel secure that > if their arguments are > >> > valid, they'll have our undivided > support....issue by issue. > >> > > >> > Wainaina > >> > > >> > On 1/4/09, Bill Kagai > <billkagai(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> > > >> >> The 4 fundamentals; > >> >> > >> >> 1. When the Media fraternity suggested > the bill be rejected in-toto, ICT > >> >> sector players felt this was akin to > pouring the birth water together with > >> >> the baby. Personally I am happy the ICT > issues did not go down the drain. > >> >> And I think that was what many of us were > asking for. > >> >> > >> >> 2. The Media has genuine concerns as > Haron Ndubi articulated in his legal > >> >> opinion on the probibity of the bill. > However, the Media completely blacked > >> >> out ICT sector concerns during our > campaign to have the bill signed. We even > >> >> went out of the way to show the remedies > to the issues through the > >> >> miscelleneous amendment bill as suggested > in the very fast legal opinion > >> >> whose author requested we keep his/her > identity anonymous. > >> >> > >> >> 3. ICT players and especially Kictanet > ought to prove it's the bigger wo/man > >> >> by showing solidarity in the front-line > with our cousins in the Media > >> >> looking for a way out of the quagmire. We > do not have to ignore them simply > >> >> because they refused to side with us in > our campaign. > >> >> > >> >> 4. We are extremely careless in handling > crisis. If you are familiar with > >> >> Newton's method of factoring variable > change and the Monty Hall > >> >> > Paradox<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Hall_paradox>, > >> >> then we can analyse the options the > President had mathematically. > >> >> 4a) Sign Bill > >> >> 4b) Don't Sign Bill > >> >> 4c) Do nothing and hold Kenyans in > suspense. > >> >> > >> >> Each option had a 33% probability of > being the 'right' decision. So, > >> >> assuming he had not seen the bill earlier > since he was not the author and > >> >> had decided not to sign the bill > following the Media owners petition, was it > >> >> wise to change his decision from > 'Don't Sign' to 'Sign'?? > >> >> Monty Hall > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Hall_paradox> > proves that > >> >> changing the decision increases the > probability of getting it 'right' to > >> >> 66.6%. And that is proven by the fact > that we [in ICT] feel content and > >> >> support ways of also making our brothers > in the media achieve 'State of > >> >> Nirvana'. This bill will also give > the Minister of Finance some head-up > >> >> before he dismisses innovations such as > M-Pesa without prior knowledge. > >> >> > >> >> Conclusion; > >> >> For Makali, Openda, Kaikai and other > leading Media personalities who I know > >> >> are on this list, why don't you > invite ICT stakeholders in to your media > >> >> stations to engage Kenyans on what is > good and what is bad in the ICT [not > >> >> Media] bill so that we can fight together > against what we feel is not good?? > >> >> This has nothing to do with whether the > grand coalition will hold or not, > >> >> since neither the Right Honourable nor > His Excellency drafted this bill. We > >> >> did and the buck should stop with us!!! > >> >> > >> >> -- > >> >> Bildad Kagai > >> >> MD - MediaCorp Limited > >> >> Nairobi Stock Exchange Authorised > Information Vendor > >> >> Suite B2, Tetu Court, State House Avenue > >> >> P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 > >> >> Nairobi, Kenya > >> >> Tel. 254 20 272 8332 > >> >> Fax. Rendered Obsolete > >> >> S - 1°17'13.8" > >> >> E - 36°48'22.7" > >> >> www.mediacorp.co.ke > >> >> --- > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> On Sun, Jan 4, 2009 at 6:21 PM, alice > <alice(a)apc.org> wrote: > >> >> > >> >> > >> >>> Thank you Wainaina. Happy 2009. > >> >>> Now that the bill has been signed, > what does the ICT industry think about > >> >>> this whole debate? especially those > who have worked for such a long time > >> >>> with government to introduce > legislation for the sector? > >> >>> > >> >>> best > >> >>> alice > >> >>> > >> >>> Happy New Year for ICT development > in Kenya. > >> >>> > >> >>>> We can now look at the > Media's concerns on the Kenya Communications > >> >>>> Act and support whatever > amendments may be justified. > >> >>>> > >> >>>> Wainaina > >> >>>> > >> >>>> > >> >>>> > >> >>>> > >> >>> > >> > >>>_______________________________________________ > >> >>> kictanet mailing list > >> >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> >>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> >>> > >> >>> This message was sent to: > billkagai(a)gmail.com > >> >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> >>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/billkagai%40gmail.com > >> >>> > >> >>> > >> > > >> > > >> > >> > >> > >>_______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: emailsignet(a)mailcan.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emailsignet%40mailcan.… > > > >_______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: dmakali(a)yahoo.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/dmakali%40yahoo.com > >_______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail… > > > > > > -- > Barrack O. Otieno > ISSEN CONSULTING > Tel: > +254721325277 > +254726544442 > +254733206359 > www.issenconsult.com > http://projectdiscovery.or.ke > To give up the task of reforming society is to give up ones > responsibility as a free man. > Alan Paton, South Africa > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet

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Fwd: [Ifip_ga] WG: Call for Papers | CENTERIS'2009 - Conference on Enterprise Information Systems
by waudo siganga 05 Jan '09

05 Jan '09

> Please consider contributing to and/or forwarding to the appropriate > groups and peers the following call for papers. > (please excuse us if you received this call more than once) > ------------- > > > ------------- CENTERIS’2009 | Call for Papers > ------------- Conference on ENTERprise Information Systems > > ------------- Ofir, Portugal, 07-09 October 2009 > > http://centeris.eiswatch.org > submission deadline (full paper): March 15, 2009 > optional submission of an abstract: January 15, 2009 > ------------- > > > Dear Sirs, > > It is our great pleasure to invite you to the CENTERIS’2009 - Conference > on ENTERprise Information Systems – aligning technology, organizations > and people, to be held in Ofir, Portugal, organized by the Polytechnic > Institute of Cávado and Ave and the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto > Douro. > > This is the place where, from 07 to 09 October 2009, under the leitmotiv > of Enterprise Information Systems, academics, scientists, IT/IS > professionals, managers and solution providers from all over the world > will have the opportunity to share experiences, bring new ideas, debate > issues, introduce the latest developments in the field. > > CENTERIS’2009 is an international conference that will address the > largely multidisciplinary field embraced by the Enterprise Information > Systems (EIS), from the social, organizational and technological > perspectives. > The 3-day conference follows an innovative format, previewing scientific > sessions, tutorial and technical sessions, and simultaneously exhibitions > by solutions providers and product presentations. > There will also be a social program that will enable participants to get > to know each other and informally exchange information, contacts and > experiences, discuss projects, and incubate partnerships. > > ------------- > ------------- Submission and Publications > > Submissions will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. > Only original contributions will be accepted. > > All accepted papers will be published in the Conference Proceedings Book > (full texts) with ISBN and on a CD-ROM to be distributed during the > conference. > > Authors of a selection of around 25 papers will be invited for enhancing > and extending their papers for inclusion in a book to be published by > IGI-Global, to be released by early 2010. Depending on the number of high > quality papers accepted, the Organization can consider the edition of two > books, instead of one. > > According to the Scientific Committee recommendations, authors of > selected papers will be invited to enhance the paper for publication in: > > - A Special Issue of the Information Resources Management Journal > (IRMJ); > - The International Journal of Enterprise Information Systems > (IJEIS); > - Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research > (JTAER); > - International Journal of Information Technologies and Systems > Approach (IJITSA); > - The emerging “Information and Communication Technologies for the > Advanced Enterprise: an international journal” (ICT'ae). > > At the end of this message you will find the composition of the Editorial > Board. > > ------------- > ------------- Hotel and travel arrangements > > The Conference will take place at AXIS OFIR Beach Resort Hotel in Ofir, > Esposende, Portugal, a 4-star Hotel located in one of the most beautiful > landscapes in the North of Portugal. The Atlantic coast of Esposende is > part of the Natural Park of the North Coast, a protected area of great > beauty. > Ofir is located in a wonderful historic and cultural region with three > locations/zones proclaimed as UNESCO cultural World Heritage within 100 > km: Historic Centre of Guimaraes (50Km), Historic Centre of Porto (40Km) > and Alto Douro Wine Region. > The Hotel Axis Ofir is located 35 km north of the Oporto International > Airport “Francisco Sa Carneiro”. It is connected by the highway A28. We > suggest getting a taxi which cost would be around 35 Euros (one way), > taking less than 30 min to the Hotel. > ------------- > > For more detailed information, please visit http://centeris.eiswatch.org > > We hope to see you in Ofir. > > Best wishes, > Manuela Cunha > Luís Amaral > João Varajão > > > ------------- General Chair > Maria Manuela Cruz-Cunha (mcunha(a)ipca.pt) > Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Portugal > > ------------- Program Chair > Luís Amaral (amaral(a)dsi.uminho.pt) > University of Minho, Portugal > > ------------- Organization Chair > João Eduardo Varajão (jvarajao(a)utad.pt) > University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal > > ------------- Secretariat > Jacinta Martins > secretariat(a)centeris.eiswatch.org > > > ------------- > ------------- Editorial Board > (This list is not complete as the invitation process is still going on) > > Adamantios Koumpis, Research Programmes Division, ALTEC S.A, Grece > Adolfo Vanti, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, Brasil > Albert Boonstra, University of Groningen, The Netherlands > Alberto Arroyo, Orienta, Spain > Alexandra Klen, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil > Álvaro Rocha, University Fernando Pessoa, Portugal > Ana Maria Fermoso Garcia, Pontifical University of Salamanca, Spain > Anca Draghici, Politehnica University of Timisoara, Romania > Andréa Paiva, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil > Angappa Gunasekaran, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, USA > Antonio Guevara, University of Malaga, Spain > Antonio José Balloni, CTI, Brasil > António Trigo, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Portugal > Aysin Rahimifard, Loughborough University, UK > Bart H.M. Gerritsen, TNO N. Org. for App. Scientific Research, The > Netherlands > Calin Gurau, GSCM – Montpellier Business School, France > Carlos Ferrás Sexto, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain > Carlos Machado-Santos, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto, Portugal > Carmen de Pablos, Rey Juan Carlos University, Spain > Carola Jones, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina > Carrillo Verdún, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain > Cesar Alexandre de Souza, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil > Chad Lin, Curtin University of Technology, Australia > Daniel Lübke, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany > Dimitrios Koufopoulos, Brunel University, UK > Dirk Schaefer, Georgia Institute of Technology Savannah, USA > Dirk Werth, Institut für Wirtschaftsinformatik, Germany > Dulce Domingos, University of Lisbon, Portugal > Duminda Wijesekera, George Mason University, USA > Edson Luiz Riccio, University of Sao Paulo, Brasil > Efrem Mallach, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, USA > Eitel Lauria, Marist College, USA > Enrique Paniagua Arís, Universidad de Murcia, Spain > Ercan Oztemel, Marmara University, Turkey > Esra Kurt Tekez, Sakarya University, Turkey > Fahd Alizai, Victoria University Australia, Australia > Filomena Lopes, Universidade Portucalense, Portugal > Gabor Hosszu, Budpest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary > George Ioannou, Athens Faculty of Economics and Business, Greece > George Leal Jamil, FUMEC/BH, Brasil > Giorgio Bruno, Politecnico di Torino, Italy > Goran Putnik, University of Minho, Portugal > Heiko Duin, BIBA Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik GmbH, > Germany > Henrique O’Neill, ISCTE, Portugal > Igor Perko, University of Maribor, Slovenia > llan Oshri, Rotterdam School of Management, The Netherlands > Isabel Ramos, University of Minho, Portugal > Ivanilde Eyng, UEPG/UNAM, Brasil > Jaideep Motwani, Grand Valley State University, USA > Jaime Munoz, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Mexico > Jens Eschenbächer, BIBA Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik, > Germany > Jerzy Kisielnicki, University of Warsaw, Poland > Joao Barroso, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal > Joao Varajao, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal > Jorge Marx Gómez, Oldenburg University, Germany > José Bulas Cruz, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal > José L. Caro, University of Malaga, Spain > José L. Leiva, University of Malaga, Spain > José Luis Mota Pereira, University of Minho, Portugal > Kam Hou Vat, University of Macau, Macau > Klara Antlova, Technical university of Liberec, Czech republic > Leonardo Soto, University of Guadalajara, Mexico > Leonel Santos, University of Minho, Portugal > Lorna Uden, Staffordshire University, UK > Luís Amaral, University of Minho, Portugal > Mahesh S. Raisinghani, Texas Woman's University, USA > Malihe Tabatabaie, University of York, UK > Manuel Filipe Santos, University of Minho, Portugal > Manuel Mora, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Mexico > Manuel Pérez Cota, Universidad de Vigo, Spain > Maria Argyropoulou, Brunel University, UK > Maria Manuela Cunha, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Portugal > Marilisa Oliveira, UEPG/UNAM, Brazil > Marko Kolakovic, University of Zagreb, Croatia > Mayumi Hori, Hakuoh University, Japan > Michal Žemlicka, Charles University, Czech Republic > Mirjana Stojanovic, University of Belgrade, Serbia > Narciso Cerpa, University of Talca, Chile > Ovsei Gelman, CCADET-UNAM, Mexico > Özalp Vayvay, Faculty of Engineering Marmara University, Turkey > Ozden Ustun, Dumlupinar University, Turkey > Patrícia Gonçalves, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Portugal > Paula Morais, Universidade Portucalense, Portugal > Paulo Tomé, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Portugal > Pedro Araújo, University of Beira Interior, Portugal > Pedro Campos, University of Porto, Portugal > Pedro Quelhas de Brito, University of Porto, Portugal > Pedro Ribeiro, University of Minho, Portugal > Pedro Soto Acosta, Universidad de Murcia, Spain > Polo, University of Sao Paulo, Brasil > Protogeros Nicolaos, University of Macedonia Economic and Social Scs., > Greece > Ramiro Gonçalves, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal > Ricardo Gonçalves, Uninova, Portugal > Ricardo Simoes, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Portugal > Richard Burkhard, San Jose State University, USA > Rinaldo Michelini, PMAR Lab of the University of Genova, Italy > Roberto Razzoli, PMAR Lab of the University of Genova, Italy > Rui Dinis Sousa, University of Minho, Portugal > Rui Pedro Rijo, Politecnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal > Samo Bobek, University of Maribor, Slovenia > Sanja Vranes, The Mihajlo Pupin Institute, Serbia > Simona Sternad, University of Maribor, Slovenia > Snezana Pantelic, The Mihajlo Pupin Institute, Serbia > Subhasish Dasgupta, George Washington University, USA > Tahinakis Panayiotis, University of Macedonia Economic and Social Scs., > Greece > Valentina Janev, The Mihajlo Pupin Institute, Serbia > Vladanka Acimovic-Raspopovic, University of Belgrade, Serbia > Vitor Basto Fernandes, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal > Vítor Carvalho, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Portugal > Vítor Santos, Microsoft, Portugal > Vladimír Modrák, Technical University of Kosice, Slovakia > Vojko Potocan, University of Maribor, Slovenia > Wai Ming Cheung, University of Bath, UK > > > >

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Employment Opportunity: Head of Policy, African Internet Service Providers Association
by Brian Longwe 05 Jan '09

05 Jan '09

Job Description: Head of Policy Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the Head of Policy for AfrISPA secretariat is a new position and is yet to be filled. This is a full time employee position. He/She reports to the General Manager and with his support monitors, manages and evaluates AfrISPA's policy agenda. He/She plays a key role in developing the AfrISPA community by enhancing the policy function, expanding the scope and range of policy actions and providing focused and sustained engagement with policy-makers, regulators and key stakeholders at national, regional and continental level. Under the supervision of the General Manager, the Head of Policy is responsible for; - Raising the profile of AfrISPA as a significant influence on policy and regulation for the Internet in Africa - Working strategically with members of the Board, management and development teams to create, shape and disseminate the association's policy positions and key messages - Developing the association's policy function - Representing the association at a senior level, engaging with appropriate stakeholders to maintain the quality and relevance of our work and to increase the association's impact on the development of public policy - Leading the policy function, managing the policy team - Leading the development and delivery of policy projects to meet strategic objectives - Identifying and disseminating the implications for the Internet and Internet stakeholders of changes in government, AU and international policy and regulation - Maintaining an overview and identifying gaps and new areas for policywork and making appropriate recommendations to the senior management team - Managing projects to improve the evidence base of our policy positions - Providing other members of the team with appropriate briefings, papers and presentations - Providing policy input to the association's interdisciplinary projects - Writing policy content for the website and other communications activities - Contributing to the planning and management of annual work programmes - Seeking out, developing and managing opportunities for grant funding and commissioned work - Taking part in corporate communications activities, development and fundraising efforts as required Interested candidates should email their CV and full contacts to brian(a)afrispa.org *AfrISPA Policy Advocacy* The next phase of AfrISPA's work requires enhanced capacity on the policy and regulatory front. To this end the secretariat will be expanded to include a "Head of Policy" position. This role would design, organise and implement policy advocacy actions across the entire spectrum of issues that affect Internet markets in Africa. This will follow AfrISPA Policy Development Strategic Canvas as follows: Policy Development: Strategic Canvas - Provide industry perspective on policy as it relates to the Internet industry and act as an interface between government bodies and the wider public - Develop policies in the best interest of the members and protect and promote these interests in regional and international fora - Provide and promote educational opportunities that will enhance and empower technical and policy understanding of the Internet - Develop policies that will guide members into active participation in the development of a free and open telecommunications market in their respective markets - Mobilise ISPAs to deal with legal issues such as child pornography and cyber crime as a real threat to the growth of the Internet as a business tool and enabler - Encourage the development and use of local content, particularly e-Government and online news services - Value addition through assistance in setting up standards and guidelines for web development and promoting the setting up of server farms - Develop policies to protect Internet user's privacy and rights of freedom of expression. Comment constructively on draft Bills in African countries relating to these issues. Activities - Create a new position within the AfrISPA secretariat for a Head of Policy. - Identify key issues currently affecting Africa's Internet industry at national, regional and continental levels and design, develop and deliver suitable policy interventions. *About AfrISPA* The African Internet Services Providers Association, AfrISPA, is the Pan-African association of Internet Services Providers Associations of the countries in Africa. AfrISPA was founded in Johannesburg, South Africa in August 2001 when a gathering of ISP and ISPA representatives from various countries in Africa met to discuss and deliberate ways of addressing common issues and concerns that affect the growth and stability of the Internet in Africa. By engaging donors for funding and through the commitment of pioneer members AfrISPA has implemented a number of activities that include:- • Establishment of Internet Exchange Points: AfrISPA has directly and indirectly contributed to the establishment of IXPs in 22 countries. • Establishment of ISP Associations • High-level representations: AfrISPA has gained recognition as a key African institution that is passionate about the role of the Internet as a vital underpinning for national, regional and continental growth and development. On this basis, AfrISPA engages together in thought leadership, policy development and strategic planning through representation in various key local, regional and international fora. Key organisational affiliations include membership of the ITU through the ITU-D, a close working relationship with EuroISPA, involvement in the ICANN process, partnerships with various key African institutions such as AfriNIC, AfNOG, AfTLD, the ATU and platforms at key events. • Position Papers: A vital instrument in AfrISPA's advocacy activities is position papers that are developed around crucial issues that affect the development and growth of the Internet in the region. These have included areas such as: Infrastructure development, Content, Voice over IP, Spam and Regional Integration among others. In collaboration with others, AfrISPA has contributed towards the awareness and adoption of the Open Access framework for major communications infrastructure. It is worth noting that most of the currently ongoing submarine fibre optic projects as well as many of the terrestrial backbone projects have recognised the principles of Open Access and structured their funding and business models along those lines. • Regulatory reports: Regulatory regimes that provide an environment conducive to healthy growth of the ICT sector are essential for Africa's development. To this end, AfrISPA conducts periodic assessments of various countries' regulatory environments and provides these reports to members to facilitate local advocacy through benchmarking and to contribute towards smoother regulatory harmonisation across the region. These reports provide an important evidence base to justify local actions aimed at positive policy and regulatory reform. • Workshops and training: Capacity building is one of AfrISPA's primary objectives. AfrISPA is well positioned to identify needs in this area and respond through the development of appropriate materials which are delivered through workshops and training sessions. -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe(a)gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

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Freedom Next Time
by Gakuru Alex 03 Jan '09

03 Jan '09

Recently posed to "ke-users" list:- > I find there exists several kinds of reality, e.g. "prepared" reality, > "imagined" reality, "forced" reality, "others' " reality, "real" > reality, etc. The question: which and whose, of them all, is the "one > true reality"? Advised by a member: Try getting hold of John Pilger's, the Australian journalist, book "Freedom Next Time" and you might get a very good idea of the "one true reality" on this unending conflict. Enjoy reviews: <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2006/jun/03/highereducation.news> <http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php/Freedom_Next_Time_by_John_Pil…> Happy New Year, Alex

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Undersea cable cut disrupts Mideast and India communications
by S.Murigi Muraya 01 Jan '09

01 Jan '09

Happy New Year to KICTANET We need at least 5 undersea fiber optic cables connecting us (on different routes) to the rest of the world. Trust that our government requires cable companies to involve and educate Kenyan telecom engineers in the installation and repair of any cable Kenya.go.ke owns a part of. http://telecommagazine.com/newsglobe/print.asp?ID=AR_4670 *Undersea cable cut disrupts Mideast and India communications (Summarized)* by Kendrick Struthers-Watson Mon. December 22, 2008 A French cable ship, the CS Raymond Croze, has begun repairing two badly damaged cables in the Mediterranean that were severed on Friday, Dec. 19, disrupting Internet and telephone communications. Sources indicate the cables were cut within five minutes of each other, possibly by a trawler net. A robot submarine will locate the ends of the cables on the sea bed and bring them to the surface to be reconnected. This is not the first time there's been trouble along these cable routes. Last January, two of the three cables connecting Europe with Asia via the Middle East were cut. What is more pressing about the current situation is that all three cables were affected. Until these cables are fixed, service providers in the Middle East and South Asia must route their European traffic through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Despite the problems these cable cuts have caused, Alan Mauldin, Research Director for Telegeography, believes that new cable construction should help prevent future outages. "Many new cable systems are slated to enter service between Europe and Egypt in the next few years, including Telecom Egypt's TE North cable, Orascom's MENA system, FLAG's HAWK cable, the IMEWE consortium cable, and the EIG consortium cable," he said. Mauldin added that while constructing multiple cables does not guarantee against outages, the introduction of these new systems will provide additional routing options and improve resiliency.

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(no subject)
by Florence Etta 31 Dec '08

31 Dec '08

My dear, Allow me to wish you a 2009 full of joy, laughter & accomlplishments. As you review your 2008 and move in to a full embrace of the new year, may you acknowledge the gift of the new year, cherish the opportunities in the new year and live the experiences of the year to the full so as to make a difference in our world. May the good Lord bless you and yours in a really special way in 2009. Best wishes, Florence Etta New York

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Legal Opinion by Haron Ndubi
by Bill Kagai 30 Dec '08

30 Dec '08

* A LEGAL OPINION ON THE LEGISLATIVE PROBITY AND PROCEDURE FOR THE KENYA COMMUNICATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 2008.* *For Kictanet through Mediacorp* *By Haron M Ndubi, Advocate* The Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2008 was introduced by the government through the minister for Information to parliament. The object of the new amendment is found primarily in both the preamble and the memorandum of Objects and Reason explaining the Bill. The preamble is herewith reproduced: * "….An ACT of Parliament to amend the Kenya Communications Act, 1998, to make minor amendments to the statute law, and for connected purposes"* The long title of the 1998 Act provides thus: *"….to facilitate the development of the information and communications sector (including broadcasting, multimedia, telecommunications and postal services) and electronic commerce*" Generally speaking and found in the memorandum of objects and reasons, the Bill proposes to and indeed does affect three major sectors. 1. Communications 2. E Commerce 3. Media and Broadcasting 4. Criminal and evidence law 5. (Possibly inadvertently, the Constitution of Kenya). The objects proposing to bring developments in technology within the law so as to provide for investments in technology and to acknowledge and deal with cybercrime can hardly be faulted. Actually this has been long in coming. However, one needs to look into the cause(s) of the public and loud disquiet that has characterized debate leading to the petitions to the President to refuse to sign the Bill and return it to parliament as provided for under section 46 of the Constitution. Simply put, that section of the constitution provides the procedure for making law. Once a Bill is introduced, it goes to the House committee responsible for the matters therein for consideration. At this time the Bill is not in the house yet. The committee may make such changes as it may deem fit then approve it for the house. Upon, the tabling of the Bill, parliament debates it and decides one way or the other. If the Bill is rejected in toto. Then it may not be reintroduced onto the floor of the house until the expiry of six months. If the House amends it then it may pass with the amendments. Then it may go through the various readings until it becomes a proposed law awaiting the signature of assent from the President. (It must be noted though, that the House recently passed a raft of amendments to the Standing orders. One such is the time lapse before re introduction of a rejected bill into the house. The new rules become operational in March 2009. The new procedures allow faster, if not immediate reintroduction of a rejected Bill.) Once a Bill has been passed, on the other hand, it will be presented to the President by the Speaker for his Assent. In event the President refuses to assent to the bill, he is expected to return the bill to the Speaker, within fourteen days of such refusal. He has to accompany the refused bill with a memorandum or reasons for the refusal. Parliament is expected to; within twenty one days reconsider the Bill in consideration of the President's objections. If the House is convinced, they will make the proposed amendments and return the same to the president who SHALL then sign it into law. In event that the parliament rejects the president's objections, the bill will be returned to the president who may sign it. If he declined to sign it automatically becomes law within fourteen days of such presentation to the President. That the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2008 was proposed singularly to amend the 1998 Act is in no doubt. Therefore, the opportunity to amend the obnoxious section 88 of the 1998 Act indeed lay before the house. However, we are told that the proposal to amend section 88 of the 1998 Act was rejected at the committee stage. It was therefore not debated by the house. The question that then emerges is this; can the President take the bill back to ask that Parliament reconsiders that section 88 for repeal? My answer is YES. He can. In doing so, the president will be dealing with another function that the Attorney General would have performed. That of advising that the section 88 would be unconstitutional. He didn't in 1998, he hasn't now. If the President assents to the Bill he will do so having failed to promote the deletion of section 88 in the 1998 Act, yet he will have protected the gains relating to ICT rather than broadcasting and other media. If he refused to assent, then the question is how long will it be before it becomes law? If the Parliament stays in recess until March as envisaged, then the president may withhold his decision on the Bill until parliament resumes. This is because time will be expected to run as soon as he advises the speaker of his rejection. Should he assent, it will not be said to automatically come into force immediately. The Bill contains provision for phased implementation of the law. The minister may appoint *effective* dates either for the whole law or diverse dates for various sections. This means that the concern on time on the part of Kictanet is not resolved by the mere passing of the Bill. But there are other reasons for which the media, some political leaders, civil society and others have sought the President's refusal to assent to the law. Broadly stated the issues are three fold. 1. The power on the minister to confiscate equipment 2. The power of the government to control and regulate content 3. The lack of independence of the Regulatory body. On 1 above we have the foregoing text has a response. Without going into the merits of the other two concerns, it needs to be acknowledged that they are legitimate questions but have the potential of hamstringing one sector in favour of another. On the issue of 2 above for instance, the regulator needs to be able to help the media and the public classify material and allow it to be available for the respective client without undermining the public good. Therefore, an argument for a free hand will be inimical to public good. That said, and related to 3 a regulatory authority must be legitimate and credible. Therefore representation and greater presence of the diverse sectors responsible is a valid and legitimate concern. The initial error may have occurred when the ICT investment and advancement issues were mixed up with telecommunications and broadcasting. But that is debatable by the experts in the respective areas. In conclusion,, I would opine for two options: A). The President should be requested to expedite the decision on the Bill either way B)The President should be requested to recall parliament earlier than March so as to deal with the outstanding business. This way, if he assents to the Bill, those members of parliament opposed to the Bill could use their privileged position to move amendment motions. c)The affected sectors opposed to the existence of section 88 of the 1998 Act can move to the constitutional court and seek the judicial declaration that the section is unconstitutional thus it be repealed. -- Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Nairobi Stock Exchange Authorised Information Vendor Suite B2, Tetu Court, State House Avenue P. O. Box 20311 - 00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel. 254 20 272 8332 Fax. Rendered Obsolete S - 1°17'13.8" E - 36°48'22.7" www.mediacorp.co.ke ---

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ZAIN's Club 20 Tarrif Suspended!
by Edith Adera 24 Dec '08

24 Dec '08

It was surprising to learn that subscribers are receiving notification from ZAIN that the club 20 Tarrif has been suspended for 24th December and 31st December, for what is indicated as system upgrade!! Why the specific dates of 24th and 31st December? Is it to cash in on the xmas and new year calls? What does consumer protection rights dictate? Can we hear from the regulator? Edith

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Rising voices grants
by Rebecca Wanjiku 24 Dec '08

24 Dec '08

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/12/23/rising-voices-seeks-micro-grant-pr… Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/

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Happy Holidays (and a clarification)
by Gakuru Alex 20 Dec '08

20 Dec '08

Dear All, This is to wish you most joyful festivities adding to what you already wish yourself for happy holidays. And have a Healthy, Prosperous and clearer 2009. Alex Gakuru PS: I've received several off-list comments suggesting that I am "in-charge" of kictanet. Well,,, I am not. I have never been, in any way, involved in kictanet administrative affairs; organizational, physical, lists. Alice Munyua and Washington Odhiambo run then. <http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet> Please direct future inquiries to Alice / Washington. The ICT Consumers Association of Kenya, runs own consumer rights advocacy/interests mailing list. <http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers/> My engagement has strictly been for consumers. Sincerely, Alex

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