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Re: [kictanet] Media Bill 2007.
by Kagwe James 01 Jun '07

01 Jun '07

Dear all, A very good example of abuse of media freedom is what is happening with the MUNGIKI issue. Everything done out there by any criminals is blamed on MUNGIKI even before it has been properly investigated. Please do not mistake me in this.... I ain't saying that they are not criminals, for heavenly sake they are, but that we should make sure we confirm they are the ones who did it before we report. The result is that even thugs will do anything and make sure they at least mention the word MUNGIKI to their victims. Also because of the upsurge of the reports on MUNGIKI we are actually glorifying their actions and making them feel they are real heroes. The way it is being reported.... you would think there is no government or police or that the government is doing absolutely nothing about it. Something definitely needs to be done about media freedom... the aim I hope is not to clip their wings or fix them, but to make them always think deeply of what they are reporting before they go on air. This happens in any profession and journalism should not be an exception. -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke(a)kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+jkagwe=aforbes.co.ke@kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Brian Longwe Sent: 01 June 2007 02:51 To: Kagwe James Subject: Re: [kictanet] Media Bill 2007. Bwana Ndemo, I could not agree with you more. I have been appalled and dismayed at the outrageous response that has come about regarding the Media Bill. The mere fact that it is a Bill means that this is the time for whoever has anything to change/remove/add should do it. It is not yet a law until it has passed public review, parliamentary review and government review. I was even shocked today to hear some politicians who I used to have respect for referring to it as a draconian law designed to stifle and control - I don't even think the individual had any idea about the background and origin of the Bill. I think it's time for truth and clarity to come forth. Brian On May 31, 2007, at 8:57 PM, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke wrote: > Dear All, > Our media continue publish one sided stories. In my view it is > important > that we shed some light on the Media Bill and the Integrity of the > Industry. > > It should be obvious that integrity in media is of great importance > to the > public, to individual journalists and their institutions, and to the > health of the media enterprise. The increasing social, economic, and > political significance of media has led to greater demands that > journalists and their institutions be held accountable when using > public > funds. Media subjects and their families expect journalism to do > what is > necessary to minimize the risks posed by irresponsible reporting. > Society > rely on the honesty and competency of professionals, and society's > confidence in and support for media rests on public trust in the > integrity > of journalists and their institutions. It is incumbent upon the media > community to create and nurture an environment that both promotes high > ethical standards and preserves public trust in journalistic inquiry. > > Yet, all is not well in the media community. Several high-profile > incidents, ranging from blatant disregard for the principal of > objectivity, to the fabrication of articles, to the death of > breadth of > subjects outside politics, have raised concerns about the integrity of > those engaged in media. During the past year, we have seen too many > instances of media misconduct, like the front page pictures of > Matheri's > innocent children. Another leading daily fabricates a story that an > opposition leader visits State house. Who will forget the Hope FM > incident where innocent lives were lost yet the Government was > blamed for > not taking action in advance. Incidents such as these have in > most cases > tainted the noble profession of journalism. The Media Bill is indeed > Media Council Bill just like the Nursing Council Act, Medical > Practitioner's Act, etc. Lawyers, Pharmacists, Architects, > Engineers all > subscribe to some Act of Parliament to guard against their own > excesses > and the consumers. > > In the past few days we have witnessed Media at its worst - > manipulating > public opinion - by only telling one side of the story in the process > breaching their own ethical standards. Check all articles on Media > Bill. They have even gone to the extent of gathering a number of > activists and calling such meetings as stakeholder. Government > which is a > major stakeholder (supplies 90% of the news through KNA to Media > houses) > is not even invited. Not one of those meeting that they have > entertained > the other side of the of the story. This indeed should be the very > reason > why the Media Council must step in to advise on media's > responsibilities. > > In Tanzania where the same process is going on, views are analyzed > from > both sides. Media does not retract on their word. Despite the > fact media > developed the current Media Council Bill, they continue to argue that > Government did not consult stakeholders. You now understand why a > good > constitution was defeated. Should we allow a few individuals to make > decisions that affect our future? There is imminent danger if > media is > not regulated simply because they have not managed to regulate > themselves > without statutes. Do you want to see another Hope FM scenario? > Vernacular stations are preaching Venom and if it gets worse, you > know who > the media will blame. > > Our only hope is that we are increasingly becoming a knowledge > society and > Internet with or without print and electronic media will enable us to > communicate. Media has refused to publish alternative views on the > Media > Bill. Luckily they cannot mislead everbody. > > > Ndemo > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/brian%40isisweb.nl _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jkagwe%40aforbes.co.ke

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Apple TV + YouTube = What's Next
by Alex Gakuru 31 May '07

31 May '07

[BusinessWeek.com] Top News May 31, 2007, 10:06PM EST Google and Apple's deal to show video clips is a major step in the race to bring Net entertainment to TV by Arik Hesseldahl <snip> In the high-stakes race to bring Internet entertainment from the PC to the TV, Apple and Google were already at the head of the pack. By joining forces, the electronics maker and search giant just extended their lead. On May 30, Apple (AAPL) Chief Executive Steve Jobs said Apple TV, the company's newly introduced device that transmits digital entertainment to television sets, will begin carrying clips from Google's (GOOG) YouTube. For Apple, the addition of content from an already popular video-sharing site could help sell more Apple TV units, says Tim Bajarin, president of technology consultant Creative Strategies. "With YouTube, [Jobs] might have struck a new nerve and in the process gotten more interest," he says. Big Plans And it's likely to be a harbinger of future cooperation between the two companies, especially considering their existing ties. "You can't rule out more collaboration," Bajarin says. Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Google adviser Al Gore sit on Apple's board of directors. The companies have a history of collaboration. A Google Maps application, complete with satellite photos, was one of the headline features Jobs demonstrated when he first unveiled the iPhone in January (see BusinessWeek.com, 1/10/07, "The Future of Apple"). <snip> <http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2007/tc20070530_192371.ht…> --------------------------------- Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!

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[Fwd: Re: [Idlelo2] M$ Vendor Lockin In Kenyan Schools]
by alice 31 May '07

31 May '07

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [Idlelo2] M$ Vendor Lockin In Kenyan Schools Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 15:00:27 +0200 From: Derek Keats <dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za> Reply-To: dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za Organization: University of the Western Cape To: Dorcas Muthoni <dmuthoni(a)kenet.or.ke> CC: idlelo2(a)fossfa.net References: <1180342013.14919.6.camel@dkeats-laptop> <57593.212.49.74.175.1180505214.squirrel(a)mail.kenet.or.ke> Another way to view the same information...... Microsoft pulls marketing coup in Kenya School children in Kenya will grow up dependent on foreign-created proprietary software, transferring the innovation transactions arising from educational use of technology out of Africa to the developed world thanks to the latest marketing Coup from license vendor Microsoft. The digital freedom of Kenyan children has been given away in this manner in the misguided belief that free licenses will give more access to computer technology. Microsoft Corporation pulled off the coup by playing on the ignorance of the Ministry of Education about alternatives to Microsoft licenses that provide as good or better access to software while respecting the freedom of Kenyan school children. Higher education education institutions are also to be victims of the ploy to gain control of future markets for licenses to Microsoft software. Under the arrangement, Microsoft will work with organisations currently in charge of supplying computers to the institutions to first install the programmes on the machines, thus creating its future customers with the bulk of the cost of this marketing being born by the victims. Learning institutions in the developing world have often avoided becoming marketing victims to license vendors such as Microsoft because of license fees that are locally unaffordable. Lacking awareness of the long term implications, it seems that education institutions in countries such as Kenya are easy prey to this latest marketing strategy from one of the world's most predatory near-monopolies. With the free licenses, schools can use the computer technology to create the next generation of unfree dependents and customers for Microsoft licenses among teachers and students. This type of loss leader is common among companies entering a new market. Mr Mark East, the general manager for Microsoft’s International Education Solutions Group, said the main drive for offering the fees waiver was the lack of computer uptake in the region’s education system. He made no mention of the tremendous marketing value for Microsoft of this ploy, nor did he mention the cost to Africa of transferring all of its innovation transactions out of the continent. Mr East said the company learnt a lesson from Ghana, where an attempt to use school teachers to market Microsoft licenses to school children ran into trouble. “In Ghana our approach first was to build capacity for teachers but we came to learn that even after training the teachers they still didn’t have this basic tool—the computer,” he said. His words somehow create the impression that having access to software without cost, which is also available in the form of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), somehow leads to the de novo generation of computers. It remains unclear how this de novo computer generation works, but perhaps Steve Balmer will come and invoke some form of hitherto unknown magic. On Wed, 2007-05-30 at 09:06 +0300, Dorcas Muthoni wrote: > Microsoft waives software license fees for schools > > Schools in Kenya will have more access to computer technology, with a > free license deal from the world’s leading software producer. > Microsoft Corporation forged the deal through the Ministry of Education > to allow local schools and higher education institutions to use the > company’s software free of charge. > Under the arrangement, Microsoft will work with organisations currently in > charge of supplying computers to the institutions to first install the > programmes on the machines . > Learning institutions in the developing world have often been held back > from using legitimate copies of common software such as Microsoft’s > Windows operating system and Office application suite because of license > fees that are locally unaffordable. > > With the free licenses, schools can use the computer technology to build > capacity among teachers and students. > Mr Mark East, the general manager for Microsoft’s International Education > Solutions Group, said the main drive for offering the fees waiver, was the > lack of computer uptake in the region’s education system. > > Mr East said the company learnt a lesson from Ghana, where its approach to > increasing computer usage in schools ran into trouble. > “In Ghana our approach first was to build capacity for teachers but we > came to learn that even after training the teachers they still didn’t have > this basic tool—the computer,” he said. > > More>> > http://bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1232&Itemid=4… > > > _______________________________________________ > Idlelo2 mailing list > Idlelo2(a)fossfa.net > http://mailman.dst.gov.za/mailman/listinfo/idlelo2 -- ------------------- Prof Derek W. Keats Executive Director, Information and Communication Services The University of the Western Cape, P. Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa Email: dkeats(a)uwc.ac.za Skype: dkeats Yahoo: derekkeats Web: http://ics.uwc.ac.za http://avoir.uwc.ac.za http://digitalfreedom.uwc.ac.za Ph +27 21 959 2304 Cell +27 82 787 0169 Fax: +27 21 959 1201

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[Fwd: Submit your paper today - 2nd Annual Connecting Rural Communities Africa Forum]
by alice 31 May '07

31 May '07

2nd Annual Connecting Rural Communities Africa Forum 2007: Bridging the digital divide through sustainable ICT connectivity 21- 24 August, Grand Regency, Nairobi, Kenya HOSTED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION OF KENYA www.cto.int <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c4b49ca4cb135b254…> Dear Colleague, Come and network with ICT giants from Africa and beyond, hear African Ministers perspectives on bridging the digital divide and understand best practices for delivering universal ICT access across rural Africa. You are personally invited to share your insight, expertise and practical experience at Africa's leading forum which analyses proven strategies for bridging the digital divide through sustainable ICT connectivity. If you would like to contribute to this forum as speaker please contact Mani Rai by email (m.kaur-rai(a)cto.int <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c458b410a80300c04…>) today to discuss speaker opportunities. Presentation topics you may wish to cover:- Optimal regulation strategies to promote rural connectivity Creating the right environment to attract foreign investment How to best harness and utilise ICT to deliver socio-economic benefits to rural communities Analyse current projects which seek to bridge the digital divide The opportunity to advance rural connectivity through mobile, internet and satellite and enhance access to key services, content and applications Speaker Faculty Includes: Hon. Dr. Maua Daftari, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure, Tanzania Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Mr. Michael Joseph, Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom Mr. Vitalis Olunga, Chair, GSM Africa Interest Group Mr. William Hearmon, Chairman, African CDMA Forum Dr. Bashir Gwandu, Director, Nigeria Communications Commission Mr. Wilson Muyenzi, Project Manager - eRwanda Project, Rwanda Information Technology Authority Mr. Kevit Desai, Director of Engineering Centurion Systems, and ICT Governor, Kenya Private Sector Alliance Mr. Rauno Granath, Head of New Growth Markets, Nokia Siemens Network Dr. Richard Gakuba, e-Health Co-ordinator, King Faisal Hospital, Rwanda Mr. Amadou Diallo, Division Manager for Energy and ICT, African Development Bank Dr. Hashim Twaakyondo, Director, African Virtual University Senior Representative, Ericsson Speakers subject to final confirmation: Hon. Min. Mutahi Kagwe, M.P. Mukurweini, Minister for Information and Communications, Kenya Engr John N Waweru, Director General, Communications Commission of Kenya We hope you will join us. Yours sincerely, Mani Rai Click here to unsubscribe <http://mailer.eddiction.co.uk/_webscripts/emaillog.php?789c1d8a3b0a80301005…>

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did u know elearning conference is in town?
by Rebecca Wanjiku 30 May '07

30 May '07

E-learning experts in town For the last two days, Safari Park hotel has been abuzz with techies, government representatives and e-learning advocates comparing notes. Its the second e-learning Africa conference and from the choice of the venue, its not a place for ordinary men and women to just walk in and participate in sessions, or exhibitions. Oops! Did I forget to say that you need about sh 22,000 to get in? Yes, it is the participation fee. How many people can afford the fee? Who are the people who need to know much about e-learning opportunities and appreciate the technology out there? From the ambience, this is not a place for the poor chaps with bad breath and brown teeth. If anything, they may just as well suggest that the fee is better off in their pockets than with conference organizers. For instance, the press room has no computers because it is assumed that the local journalists and bloggers would use their laptops, and take advantage of the wireless hotspot. Reuben Kyama, a local journalist, could only say we are sending a message when asked why there is no properly equipped press room or area for bloggers and journalists. So, who are the real winners in this conference? Ends Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!

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M$ Vendor Lockin In Kenyan Schools
by Dorcas Muthoni 30 May '07

30 May '07

Microsoft waives software license fees for schools Schools in Kenya will have more access to computer technology, with a free license deal from the world's leading software producer. Microsoft Corporation forged the deal through the Ministry of Education to allow local schools and higher education institutions to use the company's software free of charge. Under the arrangement, Microsoft will work with organisations currently in charge of supplying computers to the institutions to first install the programmes on the machines . Learning institutions in the developing world have often been held back from using legitimate copies of common software such as Microsoft's Windows operating system and Office application suite because of license fees that are locally unaffordable. With the free licenses, schools can use the computer technology to build capacity among teachers and students. Mr Mark East, the general manager for Microsoft's International Education Solutions Group, said the main drive for offering the fees waiver, was the lack of computer uptake in the region's education system. Mr East said the company learnt a lesson from Ghana, where its approach to increasing computer usage in schools ran into trouble. "In Ghana our approach first was to build capacity for teachers but we came to learn that even after training the teachers they still didn't have this basic tool—the computer," he said. More >> http://bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1232&Itemid=4…

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[Fwd: (Fwd) Needed: Experts for Incubator Business Management and Support
by alice 30 May '07

30 May '07

------- Forwarded message follows ------- To: Jane Møller Larsen <jml(a)ict.danishmanagement.dk> Subject: Needed: Experts for Incubator Business Management and Support Incubator Business Management and Support (IGAD/Horn of Africa) From: Jane Møller Larsen <jml(a)ict.danishmanagement.dk> Date sent: Tue, 29 May 2007 12:14:24 +0200 Keywords: Dear Sir/Madam, Please also distribute this to personal contacts and networks where you believe that experts could find interest in this. Thank you in advance. ______________________________________ ______________________________ We are presently looking for experts who have an interest in the following position: Project title: Incubator Business Management and Support (IGAD/Horn of Africa) Application deadline: Friday 1 June 2007 Contract duration: 60 man-days Company: Danish Management A/S (http://www.danishmanagement.dk/) for the RICTSP/COMESA (and for this specific assignment IGAD). ______________________________________ ______________________________ General information: The objective: To assist local Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the IGAD countries to integrate ICT tools in their daily business operations, by improving the availability of e-business solutions specifically adapted to their needs, in order to promote e-business cooperation among them and thereby increase economic integration in the region and thus enhance growth and competitiveness. Scope of work: The incubator project will cover all IGAD countries which National Working Groups are established and have finalized their country strategies for incubator project development. At this time these countries are: Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan. In subsequent calls, however, it is anticipated that all countries covered by the IGAD programme Estimate, namely, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan will have fulfilled the requirements for accessing the grant. The Short Term Expert will provide business incubation support services and project management support as follows: Develop an IGAD regional and national strategies for implementing incubator projects; Based on EDF procedures, review and refine the call for proposals (using EDF rules and procedures) taking into account the proposed regional and national strategies; Publish the Call for Proposals and respond to queries concerning the call for proposals especially with regard to the EDF rules and procedures; Receive the applications and conduct all necessary administrative evaluation; Review and refine the evaluation criteria; Consititute the application evaluation team and conduct preliminary meetings to familiarize them with the evaluation criteria; Facilitate the application evaluation meeting and collect results of the application evaluation for collating. Submit the results of the evaluation with recommendations to the RAO for the winning applications. On approval of winning applicants, award the grant and conduct preliminary meetings with the grantees to evaluate the relevance of the business plans and assist them to refine them and commit to targets and reporting periods. Monitor implementation of the projects providing support and any training deemed relevant to the projects; Evaluate the projects and produce Report on Incubator Activities in IGAD. Results: 1. IGAD Incubator Project implementation strategy. 2. Speedy implementation of the Call for Proposals. 3. Efficient administration of the Grants provided. 4. Incubator Project Monitoring and Evaluation Reports. Total amount of man-days: 60 Regions/Countries to visit: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia (Kenya) Estimated contract start: 1 September 2007 Profiles of the Experts: Education: Masters/University degree in either Business Management or Business Information Systems, or similar relevant education. Skills and Specialism: The Short Term Expert must have experience in business planning, application of ICT in business development and have familiarity working with NGOs, Government agencies, business entrepreneurs and business associations. The Short Term Expert will be specialized in working with EDF procedures. Experience: The Short Term Expert must have at least 10 years of progressive working experience in the business and ICT sub-sector. Working experience with incubator projects and EDF procedures in the ESA region will be an added advantage. Language: The short-term expert will have an excellent command of English with good report writing skills. Knowledge of French will be an added advantage. Eligibility (who can apply?): EU citizens and citizens from: Angola, Burundi, DR Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan AND citizens of the ACP member states: http://www.acpsec.org/en/acp_states.htm Background information: Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD): http://www.igad.org/ COMESA: http://www.comesa.int/ Business Incubation; Promoting ICT-Enabled Entrepreneurship: http://www.infodev.org/en/Topic.8.html UNIDO SME Panel during the WSIS: http://www.unido.org/doc/19585 INTERNET BUSINESS CENTRES SPRING UP ACROSS THE CONTINENT: http://www.balancingact- africa.com/news/back/balancing-act52.html Please find ToR enclosed If you find the position of interest and your - or one of your proposed expert's - profile complies with the stated criteria, please contact us immediately and send us a short professional presentation of yourself and an updated CV with relevant similar experience (stating your age, nationality, languages spoken, education and exactly in what you are an expert). Send your application to: ictjobs(a)danishmanagement.dk. NB: Only short-listed candidates will receive notice. Contact person: Jane Moeller Larsen Danish Management A/S Margretheholmsvej 2 1432 Copenhagen, Denmark Phone: +45 70 200 298 Direct: +45 35 250 655 Kind regards, Jane Moller Larsen ------- End of forwarded message ------- ------------------------------------------------------ Anriette Esterhuysen, Executive Director Association for Progressive Communications anriette(a)apc.org http://www.apc.org PO Box 29755, Melville, South Africa. 2109 Tel. 27 11 726 1692 Fax 27 11 726 1692

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intellectual property article
by Rebecca Wanjiku 29 May '07

29 May '07

Friends of Development May Narrow WIPO Development Agenda Proposals By William New The developing countries that in 2004 proposed an agenda for reform of the World Intellectual Property Organization toward stronger consideration of developing country needs are exploring a compromise in advance of the next WIPO meeting on the issue, according to government sources. About 70 proposals, some seen as far-reaching, are slated for consideration at the 11-15 June Provisional Committee on Proposals Related to a WIPO Development Agenda (PCDA). Informal discussion by the Friends of Development about refining the proposals is being received positively by other governments, several officials from non-Friends nations said. An informal non-paper, was recently filed with the WIPO secretariat and circulated to regional groups for discussion. The Friends are 15 countries, supported by others, seeking substantive changes to WIPOs mandate. The confidential non-paper is intended to present a way forward and make the remaining proposals more manageable, according to an official from a Friends of Development country. It contains about 24 proposals, including to renew the mandate of the PCDA for two years to monitor implementation and continue negotiations. We merged similar proposals, softened the language on some we knew were difficult to achieve consensus on, the official said. The idea is to retain as much substance as possible without having to undergo excessive negotiation on the rhetoric of it. We want to facilitate consensus and see if we can move forward. Other important issues will be what happens next, including ensuring accepted proposals are actually worked into WIPOs programme and budget process. Possible suggestions include strengthening national capacity to: ensure a balance between protecting intellectual property rights and acting in the public interest, protect local innovations, and monitor legislative assistance given by WIPO, a source said. Other possible proposals, the source said, include: asking WIPO to consider ways to help smaller economies increase their access to medicines and food; negotiating an international instrument for protecting traditional knowledge and genetic resources; preserving and boosting access to material in the public domain; and considering a way within WIPO to discuss new ideas to promote innovation, including open collaborative projects that might lead to public goods. Still other possibilities would address exceptions and limitations to international IP rules, technology transfer, prevention of anti-competitive practices, and ways of measuring the impact of WIPO treaties on all countries. The June meeting will be the second and last this year before recommendations go to the September-October annual WIPO General Assembly. The assembly will decide how to proceed on the proposed development agenda, but there has been a sense that substantive progress should be made this year if discussions are to continue. The first meeting, in February, saw agreement on a package of less-controversial proposals (IPW, WIPO, 23 February 2007). We want to be constructive, the Friends official said. The outcome should be measured by the qualitative breadth and scope of the agreed content, not by a mere mathematical total count of agreed recommendations. William New may be reached at wnew(a)ip-watch.ch. Rebecca Wanjiku, journalist, p.o box 33515, Nairobi.00600 Kenya. Tel. 254 720 318 925 blog:http://beckyit.blogspot.com/ --------------------------------- TV dinner still cooling? Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV.

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MOBILE PHONES REVOLUTIONIZE AFRICAN BANKING
by alice 28 May '07

28 May '07

From Balancing Act MOBILE PHONES REVOLUTIONIZE AFRICAN BANKING Mobile phone banking is expanding across the region from South Africa to Kenya and is putting the poor directly in control of their own finances like never before. In Africa, traditional banking is not a viable option for many of the poor and those living in rural areas. High fees, low education and literacy, as well as long distances between banking facilities get in the way of simple transactions. According to the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), an estimated 80 percent of those living in the United Nations-designated least developed countries (LDCs) are unbanked. However, technologies like mobile phone banking are contributing to overcoming these constraints. Only 1 billion of the world`s 6.5 billion people have bank accounts, according to CGAP, yet about 3 billion have mobile phones. CGAP figures these new technologies will open the door to more than 2 billion people worldwide who currently do not have access to banking services. Thanks to a $26 million partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation launched in February, CGAP hopes to discover how to best use technology to deliver banking services to the poor around the world and "make it possible for people anywhere, anytime, to have access to all kinds of financial services," says Elizabeth Littlefield, chief executive officer of CGAP. "Poor people are very willing to use mobile phones as a basis for moving money around. In places like the Congo, mobile phones are used to transfer money around the country, circumventing the banking system as well as the more traditional money transfer," she said. According to Gautam Ivatury, a microfinance specialist and manager of the CGAP technology program, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone, there are an estimated 3 million mobile phones yet only 20,000 bank accounts, indicating a huge potential for mobile banking. The bottleneck in delivering microfinance services such as savings accounts, money transfers, and loans to the poor has been the cost of "making tiny little transactions" in sometimes rural areas using traditional banking practices. Yet mobile phones and other technology can cut the cost of such transactions and make widespread microfinance economically feasible. (SOURCE: AGOP)

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Internet for shillings 1,500/= per month!
by Alex Gakuru 26 May '07

26 May '07

PHILADELPHIA WIRELESS INTERNET PROJECT ADVANCES [SOURCE: Reuters, AUTHOR: Jon Hurdle] Philadelphia has finished testing its wireless Internet project, setting the stage for America's biggest citywide Wi-Fi network that will also offer access to low-income households, officials said on Thursday. The city government this week approved results from a 15-square-mile test zone where people can access the Internet for $21.95 a month or $9.95 if they qualify for low-income assistance. Access is free in parks and other outdoor spaces, and for people participating in community programs such as employment training or housing assistance. By the end of this year, Philadelphia will have wireless Internet access throughout its 135 square miles. http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2436904820070524 COALITION PUSHES FOR US BROADBAND PLAN [SOURCE: InfoWorld, AUTHOR: Grant Gross] Fifty-four organizations, including Amazon, Google, and TiVO, have called on the U.S. government to create a national broadband policy, saying there's no plan now in place focused on providing affordable access for all residents. The Open Internet Coalition, in a letter to Congress sent Thursday, said the U.S. government needs to adopt new measures to ensure universal affordable access to broadband, net neutrality and increased competition in the broadband market. The letter is the first step in a concerted effort coalition members will make to push broadband legislation in Congress, members said. Last month, some of the coalition's members called for open access requirements in upcoming spectrum auctions at the Federal Communications Commission. Increased access to the Internet is vital to U.S. economic growth, said the letter to Congress. "Now is the time to give this goal the urgency it deserves," the letter said. "As broadband networks become more and more integral to our economic and social life, we are reaching a tipping point where legislation is no longer simply welcome -- it is imperative." Not everyone agrees with the coalition's goals, particularly its call for Network Neutrality or open access on broadband networks. Large broadband providers like Verizon and AT&T have opposed efforts to pass a net neutrality law that would prohibit providers from blocking or slowing Web content from competitors. Such a law, the companies say, would limit their business plans and would discourage them from building fast new networks. http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/05/24/Coalition-pushes-for-US-broadband… [WWWhatsup NYC] --------------------------------- Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links.

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Re: [kictanet] Holding our Leaders Accountable
by jamesrege＠africaonline.co.ke 26 May '07

26 May '07

Dear e-colleagues, As I said last week, our invitees indicated a willingness to come but they found varied reasons not show up. We must find a way to bring them closer. As they need to maximize the use of their time and also to avoid public embarrassment, we need to perhaps do an off-line dialogue first with them to find out how they want their bread battered. and I therefore agree with Kanja's idea. Can we beat our drum louder than the Kigali's one? Jim Rege Washington, D.C Original Message: ----------------- From: Kanja Waruru kanjawaruru(a)yahoo.com Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 02:30:39 -0700 (PDT) To: jamesrege(a)africaonline.co.ke Subject: Re: [kictanet] Holding our Leaders Accountable Judy, My concept was we use a more friendly approach and remove the pressure from the candidates, its scaring to be interviewed by ICT professionals under camera on a subject you are not confident about. So my 'chai' approach was we call them for a friendly ICT update over a cup of tea with the main objective being to bring them up to speed and more confident on this complex subject. Once they are en-lighted, they will use ICT on their campaign trails countrywide My worry is that if nobody takes the time now to bring them up to speed on ICT issues we may have a heavy price to pay later on. Cheers. Kanja --- Judy Okite <judyokite(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Kanja, > > This 'chai' concept......how much accountability are > we talking about? > a one-on-one based conversation? > how does it benefit the Nation? at the end of the > day....how does your > 'scream' come out? "He told me so?" > Or probably we could do it,but the 'Githongo' way! > > Kind Regards, > > On 5/17/07, Kanja Waruru <kanjawaruru(a)yahoo.com> > wrote: > > > > Dear All, > > Let me comment on this debate. > > > > Its obvious that the main reason why our 'guests' > > didn't show up was that the subject matter was to > > sophisticated and nobody wanted to expose their > > ignorance in front of the cameras. > > > > My suggestion is we should invite them back not > for a > > press debate, and no cameras, but for chai and a > > friendly chat that would bring them upto speed on > ICT > > issues. > > Regards. > > Kanja. > > > > > > --- Alex Gakuru <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > > > > I encourage us not tire in seeking ways to > involve > > > legislators in ICT but we > > > are not afraid to critise them if and whenever > they > > > fail us terribly. > > > Aspirants you embarrassed consumers? > > > > > > Inexcusable are unapologetic absence in the > digital > > > age where the politicans > > > usually show off fancy communication gadgets.... > > > considering the effort > > > everyone put in, and most appreciated Eng. > Rege's > > > preparations input > > > contribution and his early arrival. > > > > > > ...and these politicians are always so harsh at > > > criticizing others yet when > > > they are called to state their vision they all > > > chicken out. They deserve a > > > thorough thrashing for the embarrassment they > caused > > > to the country and the > > > tuned in world which now has a better > understanding > > > of the political > > > protagonists qualities. > > > > > > But interesting questions were being asked in > your > > > view of your absence > > > yesterday:- > > > > > > 1. Do political leaders thrive better amidst > > > information-deprived rural > > > people? > > > 2. How much of their CDF funds went to ICT > projects? > > > 3. Has it been over-assumed that rural means > poor or > > > "stupid"? > > > 4. Do ICT disinterested MPs hope to fit well in > Hon. > > > Kaparo's ICT-compliant > > > parliament? > > > 5. What and how else could the network deliver > these > > > politicians into the > > > ICT world? > > > > > > It was wonderful Kanja transformed local content > > > challenges into an > > > opportunity. "Everyday, the media, is always > busy > > > destroying old content > > > because of storage problems...." (ask the media > > > houses to for the content > > > and start a "K-Tube"? ;-) > > > > > > Thank you Edith for sharing community wireless > > > access point built using > > > ordinary tins. I am intersted in .... > > > > > > Thanks to KICTANET, KENIC, KDN, MEDIA OWNERS and > > > notable patient press who > > > chose to stay on despite politicians failing to > turn > > > up. Cover more stor > > > > > > October 2004 draft ICT Policy decried absence of > > > high level ICT leadership > > > but fortunately the last year gazetted policy > speaks > > > of protecting this > > > (new-found) leadership. In view of this, I am > > > obliged to thank President > > > Kibaki for assuming high level ICT leadership > the > > > successive ICT directives > > > in 2006 ( e.g. fibre, digitisation... ) > > > > > > So, I give credit where it is due? > > > > > > Alex Gakuru > > > > > > On 5/17/07, Lucy Kimani <lkimani(a)comnews.co.ke> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > All, > > > > > > > > I am just venting on the dismal performance of > our > > > aspiring presidential > > > > candidates, I have noticed a trend where those > in > > > leadershipship positions > > > > let alone those aspiring for the same confirm > > > their attendance to a > > > > certain function and then not show up or best > case > > > scenario show up 2-3 > > > > hours late. I keep asking myself why do we as > > > Kenyans accept this > > > > behavior, and I am at a loss! > > > > > > > > Actually, my pesa nane is that we as the > citizens > > > need to start demanding > > > > accountability in that when one says they will > > > attend a function then they > > > > should keep to their word, after all why are > > > electing people whose word > > > > doesnt count for much? Additionally, most of > us > > > also have busy work lives > > > > > > > > and the fact that we were willing to stop what > we > > > were doing to sit down > > > > to hear what these aspiring candidates have to > say > > > about ICT is a > > > > testament to how important we feel ICT to be > to > > > the country. > > > > > > > > I am one for making strong statements, and a > one > > > page ad expressing our > > > > displeasure and questioning why the candidates > are > > > scared of facing a > > > > serious group of citizens wanting to know > where > > > each of them stands in ICT > > > > would be in order! I am sure if it was one of > > > those meetings where fans > > > > are shouting at the top of their voices, and > no > > > one is asking any serious > > > > questions they probably would show up, we need > to > > > start demanding more > > > > from our politicians! > > > > > > > > Just my thoughts! > > > > > > > > LK > > > > > > > > > > > > ----------------------------------------- > > > > This email was sent using Communicatons > Solutions > > > LTD WebMail. > > > > " " > > > > http://www.accesskenya.com/ > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > kictanet mailing list > > > > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > > > > > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > === message truncated ===> _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke > http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kanjawaruru%40yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________ ________Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=monopolyherenow _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jamesrege%40africaonline.co.k e -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com - Microsoft® Exchange solutions from a leading provider - http://link.mail2web.com/Business/Exchange

11 14

ISOC launches Call for PIR Board Member Nominations]
by alice 25 May '07

25 May '07

A good place to shape the DNS space the way it should be ;) http://www.isoc.org/isoc/media/releases/070511.shtml <http://www.isoc.org/isoc/media/releases/070511.shtml> ISOC launches Call for PIR Board Member Nominations The Internet Society (ISOC) seeks a maximum of three highly qualified individuals to serve on the Board of Directors of the Public Interest Registry (PIR) for the period 2008-2010. PIR's business is managing an international registry of .org domain names. The Board meets in person 3-4 times per year. The time commitment is approximately 14-18 full days per year plus additional phone calls and e-mail. Qualifications sought include: * Demonstrated business acumen with significant entrepreneurial, non-commercial and/or marketing skills; * understanding and engagement in the retail domain name space; * known contributor to the ICANN processes; * financial literacy; * expertise in the application of Internet technologies to support non-commercial organizations; and * experience with the operation and policies of TLD registries. * Global diversity in candidates is desired. Please forward a statement of interest and qualifications, three references, and a curriculum vitae highlighting relevant experience, expertise, and contact information to: *Lynn St. Amour, President and CEO, Internet Society * Email: pir-nomcomm(a)isoc.org <mailto:pir-nomcomm@isoc.org>. Please submit materials in attached documents (pdf, .doc, .txt) For full consideration, please apply by June 11th, 2007. Applications will be evaluated as they are received. -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Franck Martin franck.martin(a)gmail.com <mailto:franck.martin@gmail.com> "Toute connaissance est une réponse à une question" G. Bachelard _______________________________________________ ALAC mailing list ALAC(a)atlarge-lists.icann.org http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac_atlarge-lists.icann.org At-Large Official Site: http://www.alac.icann.org ALAC Independent: http://www.icannalac.org

1 0

African Satellite & Wireless Broadband Conference & VoIP Forum]
by alice 25 May '07

25 May '07

African Satellite & Wireless Broadband Conference & VoIP Forum Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, 11-13 June 2007 "Broadband bridges across Africa: First and last mile solutions" SPEAKERS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY LEADERS: Keynote: Efficient bandwidth delivery mechanisms Peter Gbedemah, MD, Gateway Communications, UK Keynote: Next Generation Networks: Selecting the right migration path Renato Goodfellow, Solutions Manager, ME & Africa, BT Global Solutions, UK Keynote: Creating wireless communities Paul Munnery, CEO, Wireless Digital Cities, UK Optimising satellite services in the region's approaching new fibre era Joe Luel, Market Development, SkyVision Global Networks, UK Fiber optic vs. satellite-based connectivity: Do they compete or do they complete? Avihu Bergman, Executive VP Sales & Marketing, Gilat Satcom, Israel DVBS2: Its role in trunking Malcolm Brew, Director, Bushnet, Uganda Developing wireless skills Gary Chalmers, CEO Africa, Torque-IT, South Africa Rural Wireless: The role of WiMAX, WiFi, CDMA and hybrid technologies Badru Ntege, Director, Big Dish, Uganda VoIP survival strategies for telcos, ISPs and cyber cafes Russell Southwood, CEO, Balancing Act, UK Build vs. buy: VoIP solutions for Africa Colin Blou, Director, Reseller Group, Deltathree, USA Providing a VoIP service over a WiMAX network Yves Desmet, Senior Vice-President, Worldwide Sales, Verso, Belgium Maximising international VoIP services Mawuli Tse, Director for International Sales - Africa, iBasis, Ghana MASTERCLASSES Wireless Security Strategies - Maiendra Moodley, Security Advisor, South African Reserve Bank Building Wireless Communities - Paul Munnery, CEO, Wireless Digital Cities, UK TRAINING WORKSHOPS An introduction to VoIP for corporate users - Sunday Folayan, MD, Skannet, Nigeria VoIP: Survival Strategies for telcos, ISPs and cyber-cafes - Russell Southwood, CEO, Balancing Act, UK To request full details, email info(a)aitecafrica.com or log on to www.aitecafrica.com

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Fwd: Re: Holding our Leaders Accountable
by Alex Gakuru 24 May '07

24 May '07

Excusing, not explaining, their failure to embrace ICTs considering that we are coming from crying foul from "lack of high level leadership" does not help any one of us much. [at least Hon. Raila sent a note] Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai said entered politics upon realising how much these political leaders determine our fate. Leaders Absence Projections: 2007 No available >> looking for votes 2008 No available >> Homecoming and thanking rural voters 2009 No available >> Very Busy "studying diverse aspects of ICTs" 2010 No available >> Reviewing [possibly fault] all "previous" ICT projects 2011 No available >> Countrywide campaign alliances, strategies formulation 2012 No available >> Election Year! Looking for votes that matter...you know ...re-start sequence To fix a stalled car, one mechanic may choose a spray job and take snaps shots of the nice looking repainted chassis, while the other starts by dismantling , re-assembling, overhauling, and then fine tunings the spark plugs fox max efficiency. ICTs drives industry, no excuse stand. Perhaps we invite Hon. Kamotho to further share his below vision? ["Kenya's legislators have surprisingly added their voice in support of the transformation to electronic governance in their operations, both within parliament and in at the constituency level."http://allafrica.com/stories/200704250544.html] Odhiambo WASHINGTON <wash(a)wananchi.com> wrote: Date: Thu, 24 May 2007 14:07:05 +0300 From: Odhiambo WASHINGTON <wash(a)wananchi.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Holding our Leaders Accountable To: Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> * On 24/05/07 13:42 +0300, Judy Okite wrote: | Chelimo, | | The future is ICT and ICT is the future....its not something that you pray | it goes away........Is it too difficult to be humble/open minded to say 'Am | not all that knowledgeable,in this arena,but I would be more confortable | with a discussion,since we are both going to be learning from each | other,than an interview!!' | In the next 7 months,one of these guys is gonig to be the President of | Kenya....so as the ICT sector, what are we looking at in the next 5 years,if | they do not want to mention it or as U said its not of importance? >From where I sit, I've always thought that politicians don't run the country, but rather the advisors (the bureaucrats). The bureaucrats work on the policy papers, and the implementation! Let's look at it this way: Whenever the country's CEO reshuffles the cabinet, does s/he take into consideration any qualifications the ministers posses, as to put them in charge of some ministry? The answer is NO. It's all political expediency. It's with this in mind that I still support Chelimo. Politicians will only go for something that will yield political mileage - aka votes. I do take cognizance of the fact that the buck stops with the CEO, but I also believe, as a matter of fact, that whatever speeches I hear from CEO or his horde of lieutenants are normally not from their minds but those of the bureaucrats. I recently heard that Kenya, Malaysia and S.Korea were economic age-mates at some point. What I did not hear are the finer details of what was being used in the comparison, and even if there was any that I missed, I seriously doubt it would boil down to ICT. It would be "general economy". I may be losing course, but I still believe that it is not the country's CEO who sits down to lay down the fine details of the ingredients that will make the economy grow, if not jump. There must be a different way of approaching this, which is different than calling the aspirants of that office to a "small" (sic!) debate on ICT:-) I am tempted to ask Dr. Ndemo about the levels at which such decisions as facilitating ICT growth are made in govt., and at what juncture. Is the president the chief decision maker or just the person whose "goodwill" makes things move? Did we invite H.E. The President for the debate as well, given he's one of the aspirants? Did he confirm attendance? I'd yell at the top of my voice if he did, and failed to turn up, because I know it is possible, within the next 6 months, for him to put in place policies towards growing the ICT field, which we can then use to gauge the performance of future leaders. cheers - wash +----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Odhiambo Washington . WANANCHI ONLINE LTD (Nairobi, KE) | wash () WANANCHI ! com . 1ere Etage, Loita Hse, Loita St., | GSM: (+254) 722 743 223 . # 10286, 00100 NAIROBI | GSM: (+254) 733 744 121 . (+254) 020 313 985 - 9 | +---------------------------------+------------------------------------------+ "Oh My God! They killed init! You Bastards!" --from a /. post _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool.http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48518/*http://autos.yahoo.com/carfinder/;_y… hot CTA = Yahoo! Autos new Car Finder tool _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)kictanet.or.ke http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet Please unsubscribe or change your options at http://kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com

1 0

Day 5 - Statistics on Affordability - CCK Internet Study Report
by John Walubengo 24 May '07

24 May '07

Day 5- Statistics on Affordability. I acknowledge an interesting thread filtering in on Trust relationships b/w IGOs/ISPs...feel free to continue contributing on that as well as on today's theme on affordability (multi-tasking encouraged by internet technologies ...) and just to pick up from Kai's projection of KDN fiber hitting Bungoma in early August 2007. This would be quite a welcome and timely development, but at what cost to the consumer? To what extend will the (internet) services be affordable to the rural/average communities? Affordability is a subjective term gven that what is considered cheap by the Bill Gates of this world is probably not so for the average Kenyan on the street. In trying to get an objective measurement for affordability, the Report pegged it on the national average incomes. In other words, if the monthly average income in Kenya is around 100USD and if the average monthly cost for internet access is also around 100USD then obviously the average Kenyan will not bother with accessing the Internet - it just becomes way beyond their means or too expensive or not affordable. The report indicated that access through the more convenient Internet Dial-up/Desktop services costed over 200% the average incomes (too expensive), while the same access through mobile phones was costing just 8% of the average incomes (quite affordable). What needs to be done in order to make Internet Services more afforable to Kenyans? 1 day deliberation on this one. walu.

11 15

[Fwd: Fwd: [KABUNGE] Fwd: Re: [Fwd: presidential aspirants' debate on ICT enabled Kenyan Economy]
by alice 24 May '07

24 May '07

From Shem Ochuodho -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Fwd: [KABUNGE] Fwd: Re: [Fwd: [kictanet] presidential aspirants' debate on ICT enabled Kenyan Economy Date: Thu, 24 May 2007 09:57:06 +0200 From: Shem Ochuodho <shem.ochuodho(a)rita.rw> Reply-To: KIPlist <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> To: KIPlist <kiplist-cl(a)lyris.idrc.ca> --- the forwarded message follows --- --- Submitted by: Dr. Shem Ochuodho - CEO - RITA -RWANDA <shem.ochuodho(a)rita.rw> 2007-05-24 04:03:08 EDT4 (Please reply to original submitter for private communication) --- You are currently subscribed to kiplist-cl as: [alice(a)apc.org] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-kiplist-cl-100946B(a)lyris.idrc.ca

1 0

Govt Operations To Go online
by Bill Kagai 24 May '07

24 May '07

24-May-2007: Transparency is finally beckoning for land and court registries – two of the most difficult institutions to do business with in Kenya – following the signing of a $135 million (Sh9 billion) World Bank loan to build an information super highway that will put all government operations online. http://bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1170&Itemid=4… -- -- With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Suite B2, Tetu Apartments StateHouse Avenue P. O. Box 20311-00200 Tel. 254 20 272 8332 URL. www.mediacorp.co.ke --

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Kenya wins UN award
by Alex Gakuru 24 May '07

24 May '07

[Hypothetically, supposing the government become more efficient than the private sector, what would happen?] Kenya wins UN award By Susan Anyangu Kenya has won the 2007 United Nations Public Service award for introducing performance contracts. The award is divided in three categories and Kenya scooped the top honours in the first category of "improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness in the public sector". Minister for Public Service, Mr Moses Akaranga, announced the award during a luncheon in Nairobi on Wednesday. Said he: "The performance contracting process was subjected to competition with other management systems from the rest of the world and we managed to win." Kenya came top of category one, beating Singapore, India, Austria, Chile, Azerbaijan and Australia. Four years ago the Government embarked on implementing broad Public Service reforms, which were geared at improving efficiency and transparency. The reforms focused on various aspects, including performance contracting in the Civil Service, computerisation and implementation of the Public Officer Ethics Act 2003. The Head of Public Service, Mr Francis Muthaura, said the success of performance contracts has been evident and the Government is still keen on its resolve to transform the public service. To this regard, the Government will soon extend the process to other public agencies and Government institutions that are not on performance contract. <http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143968999> --------------------------------- You snooze, you lose. Get messages ASAP with AutoCheck in the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta.

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Invitation to the Meeting of High-Level Experts on Competitive Platforms for the Delivery of Digital Content, to be held on 21-22 June 2007, at EBU Headquarters , Geneva, Switzerland]
by alice 23 May '07

23 May '07

------------------------------------------------------------------------ *De :* DigitalContent(a)itu.int [mailto:DigitalContent@itu.int] *Envoyé :* mercredi 23 mai 2007 10:25 *À :* DigitalContent(a)itu.int *Objet :* Invitation to the Meeting of High-Level Experts on Competitive Platforms for the Delivery of Digital Content, to be held on 21-22 June 2007, at EBU Headquarters , Geneva, Switzerland Dear Madam/Sir, Under the aegis of the Shaping Tomorrow’s Networks Initiative <http://www.itu.int/stn>, we are pleased to invite you to a Meeting of High-Level Experts entitled “*Competitive Platforms for the Delivery of Digital Content <http://www.itu.int/digitalcontent>*”, to be held in Geneva (Switzerland) on 21-22 June 2007. The digital landscape has been transformed over the past decade. New communication technologies, modern media, the Internet and devices with new functionalities are expected to meet consumers’ demand for seamless, converged and user-friendly digital tools providing access to a broad range of services and content. In order to respond to the challenges of convergence, media players and standardization bodies need to understand better trends in the creation and delivery of content. Soon, there will be a wide range of alternatives for delivering content, which are rapidly converging and it is not yet clear which systems and services will succeed. In line with the stated objectives of the WSIS Geneva Declaration of Principles (December 2003), which affirms /“…the common desire and commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving their quality of life…”/ the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will jointly organize a Meeting of High-Level Experts to identify global trends and to address the new technological and policy challenges in the digital content delivery environment. Thematic papers will be commissioned in advance of the meeting, as the basis for discussion. Written contributions are welcome and may be sent to digitalcontent(a)itu.int <mailto:digitalcontent@itu.int> The draft agenda, the meeting concept document as well as regularly updated information concerning the meeting may be found on the ITU website at http://www.itu.int/digitalcontent. You are invited to register at http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/stn/digitalcontent/registration_form.html or by fax (No. +41 22 7474 736). The registration form is enclosed (one form to be completed for each participant) and should be sent as soon as possible but not later than 15 June 2007. We hope you are able to accept our invitation to participate in this meeting and can join us in June. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Cristina Bueti (ITU) or Ms Lina Vanberghem (EBU) at digitalcontent(a)itu.int <mailto:digitalcontent@itu.int> We look forward to welcoming you at this important event. Yours faithfully, /(signed)/ /(signed)/ Hamadoun I. Touré Secretary-General Jean Réveillon Secretary-General

1 0

Consequences of Media Regulation??
by Bill Kagai 22 May '07

22 May '07

Bwana PS, Taking que from your latest post, allow me to express myself in 4 quick/short bullets regarding my personal concern on Media Regulation. 1. I run a company <www.mediacorp.co.ke> whose business is modelled in doing research on capital markets including the NSE and selling our findings to subscribed clients. The proposed regulation that researchers and analysts including their families not to trade in shares is of great concern. 2. Regulating local companies will give international competition undue advantage. e.g. Will the same rule apply to researchers and analysts employed by Reuters, Bloomberg, CNBC who run similar services and are busy setting up shops in Kenya?? 3. If our main mode of dispatch is via internet, will regulation still be enforced because our website is locally registered?? If we change to a <.com>, and register the company outside the country, will we enjoy immunity enjoyed by foreign competition?? 4. Is media sent via internet also within the regulation ambit?? Will this apply only to <.co.ke> or will Kenyans prefer to use <.com> to 'avoid' regulation. Sir, before the proposed regulation, our concern was getting accurate research to many Kenyans who have invested in stocks especially those in the diaspora who do not have access to newspapers and local news. Many were requesting more infomation on how the law protects their investments if say.. a brokerage closes down...but it seems our efforts will be nipped right in the bud by the proposed regulation. Sir, Please guide me if my fears are unfounded...Source of my concern is from the story posted on Business Daily here <http://bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1070&Itemid=3…> -- With Kind Regards, Bildad Kagai MD - MediaCorp Limited Suite B2, Tetu Apartments StateHouse Avenue P. O. Box 20311-00200 Tel. 254 20 272 8332 URL. www.mediacorp.co.ke --

2 2

How the ODM presidential hopefuls 'answered' quiz
by Alex Gakuru 22 May '07

22 May '07

[Daily Nation] Story by MACHARIA GAITHO Publication Date: 2007/05/22 <snip> THOSE RUNNING, OR pretending to run, on an ODM-Kenya presidential ticket are having to return application forms with answers to a very interesting quiz. I suspect the quiz was designed by an enemy of the party. For if the aspirants were to be rated on how they have answered the questions, then the whole lot and caboodle of them will be disqualified. The questionnaire has a lot of trick questions, designed to catch all the applicants off-guard. Some of them have expressed fear that the questionnaire is designed to favour one candidate. They have also wondered whether being allowed to vie for the nomination will hinge on how satisfactorily they have responded to the queries. And, as is well known, they are concerned about how the questionnaire will be assessed and by whom, all linked again, to the fears, that the party secretariat and the so-called Council of Elders are organs serving one candidate who has virtually declared victory. One item that really irks them is where they are supposed to outline the role they played in the fight for the second liberation. But what they are not seeing is that the questionnaire is not just about the second liberation, but also about germane issues such as commitment to democracy and human rights. I repeat, below, some of the questions in the quiz and how I imagine they have been answered: Provide evidence of your performance promoting democracy, human rights, people's rights and the Second Liberation. RAILA ODINGA: I was in at the very beginning when my rivals were still learning to walk. The 1982 military coup attempt speaks for itself. KALONZO MUSYOKA: I faithfully served the Moi regime in resisting attempts to subvert democracy . UHURU KENYATTA: I learnt to respect democracy under the feet of the Father of the Nation, and his successor. WILLIAM RUTO: I was still in school when all these things were happening. And when I came of age, I democratised Kanu from within. MUSALIA MUDAVADI: I faithfully served the Moi regime in resisting attempts to subvert democracy. Have you ever been convicted in a court of law on a criminal offence? RAILA: No. My 1983 treason case was withdrawn. But I hold the record for the longest stints in detention without trial. KALONZO: No. But that little matter of the 1991 High Court finding that a land case my law firm was involved in amounted to fraud was dredged out of old files by Mr Odinga's dirty tricks campaign squad. UHURU: No. And all the land my family holds was legitimately acquired. We have been accused, but never convicted, of land-grabbing. RUTO: No. The court case I am presently facing is politically motivated. So are all those unfounded allegations in the Ndung'u report. MUSALIA: No. I was Finance minister during part of the Goldenberg scandal, but I was not personally culpable. I have been cleared by the courts. Have you ever been declared bankrupt? RAILA: Me? the owner of a Sh40 million Hummer and the Kisumu Molasses plant? KALONZO: No. I served in the Moi Cabinet from the mid-1980s. UHURU: Bankrupt? The son of Jomo? RUTO: No. I was in YK '92. MUSALIA: No. I was Moi's Finance minister. Would you describe yourself as a corruption free leader committed to achieving a corruption free Kenya? RAILA : Pass KALONZO : Pass UHURU: Pass RUTO: Pass MUSALIA : Pass <snip> http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&n…

1 0

Re: [kictanet] Media Bill
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 21 May '07

21 May '07

Dear All, I feel compelled to respond to Kanja's surprising response to the Media Bill. Media especially MOA has decided to distort information with blatant disregard of a journalist's cardinal rule (objectivity) to poison the People of Kenya with lies and propaganda; Here are the Facts . The Bill was drafted by stakeholders among then Kanja himself; The content especially on the code of conduct for journalist were transposed from the current code of conduct with the Media Council; All stakeholders were kept informed throughout the stages of the Bill and Kanja as the former Chair of MOA received letters informing him of the progress; The Bill does not seek to control, it simply gives some teeth to the Media council to regulate professional journalists; Regulation is not control (think, we all are free to drive but we must drive on the left hand side); Without regulation you have quacks as journalists who may plunge the country into chaos (just listen to Venacular FM stations to understand why we need professionalism in Journalism and remember what happened with Hope FM); The controversy in the Bill arises from funding. MOA and KUJ did not want to fund the Advisory Board and the Media Council instead they asked the Government to finance; and Government funding comes with certain strings as you all understand and even if you were to fund you will expect the recipient to adhere to certain rules (we have gone through this with the World Bank even though we did not like it). Bitange Ndemo ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

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Holding our Leaders Accountable
by Lucy Kimani 21 May '07

21 May '07

All, I am just venting on the dismal performance of our aspiring presidential candidates, I have noticed a trend where those in leadershipship positions let alone those aspiring for the same confirm their attendance to a certain function and then not show up or best case scenario show up 2-3 hours late. I keep asking myself why do we as Kenyans accept this behavior, and I am at a loss! Actually, my pesa nane is that we as the citizens need to start demanding accountability in that when one says they will attend a function then they should keep to their word, after all why are electing people whose word doesnt count for much? Additionally, most of us also have busy work lives and the fact that we were willing to stop what we were doing to sit down to hear what these aspiring candidates have to say about ICT is a testament to how important we feel ICT to be to the country. I am one for making strong statements, and a one page ad expressing our displeasure and questioning why the candidates are scared of facing a serious group of citizens wanting to know where each of them stands in ICT would be in order! I am sure if it was one of those meetings where fans are shouting at the top of their voices, and no one is asking any serious questions they probably would show up, we need to start demanding more from our politicians! Just my thoughts! LK ----------------------------------------- This email was sent using Communicatons Solutions LTD WebMail. " " http://www.accesskenya.com/

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NEW RULES FOR TELECOM OPERATORS EXPECTED IN KENYA
by alice 20 May '07

20 May '07

NEW RULES FOR TELECOM OPERATORS EXPECTED IN KENYA The Kenyan Government is preparing new licensing regime for operators of telecommunication services. Information and Communications minister, Mutahi Kagwe further revealed that the process of searching for the Second National Operator (SNO) and third mobile operator would begin again soon. He said the changes would be as a result of the planned review of the sector's 1997 policy statement. It was this document that introduced the threshold for equity participation by local investors in the telecommunications companies. Under the rule, any foreign firm entering the telecom market must offer 30 per cent sharehoding to locals."We are formulating new regulations for licensing national telecommunication operators and will gazette the new rules soon," he said. The minister was speaking after the launch of Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) Information Centre - Geographic Information System (GIS) and Quality of Service Monitoring System - in Nairobi on Tuesday. The facilities are expected to enhance CCK's capacity to serve communications industry and improve service delivery to subscribers of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services. Kagwe, however, ruled out abolishing the requirement that foreign companies investing in the telecommunication sector allocate 30 per cent shareholding to locals. He said the Government is keen to uphold the 30 per cent rule to ensure Kenyans have a share of the institutions. He said the Government would adopt measures to relax the requirement to quicken the process of appointing a Second National Operator (SNO). Kagwe warned telecommunication service providers to brace stiff competition as more players join the market and challenged them to deal with existing inadequacies and align themselves to the demand patterns in the market. "I believe that efficiency and reliability in the delivery of telecommunications services requires consistent pro-active response to customers' needs. This is the foundation of consumer satisfaction and ultimately the driver of service quality," he said. The review is seen as the Government's response to the perennial disputes between local and foreign investors that have frustrated the conclusion of major telecoms projects. CCK chairman, Joseph Njagi, said the new quality service monitoring system would enable CCK verify the quality of services offered by cellular mobile operators. "It will now become easier for CCK to determine the service and network availability in various parts of the country, their accessibility and whether the call completion rate is up to the expected standards." (SOURCE: The East African Standard)

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IGP proposal to decentralize authority over the, Internet domain name system (DNS)
by alice 20 May '07

20 May '07

IGP has published a proposal to decentralize authority over the Internet domain name system (DNS) as it transitions to a new, more secure technology known as DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC).View the paper here <http://internetgovernance.org/pdf/SecuringTheRoot.pdf> At a symposium in Washington DC last Thursday (May 17), the Internet Governance Project (IGP) unveiled a plan to decentralize control over the process of digitally signing the root zone file using public key encryption. The need for the plan was made clear recently when news of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security report on DNSSEC implementation triggered international controversy by raising fears that the US government planned to control the "master keys" to the Internet. The IGP proposal would distribute control over the process of signing the root zone file to multiple organizations, all of them nongovernmental in nature, defusing fears that U.S. national security agencies will control the Internet's DNS root zone keys. The proposal increases the resilience of the system, eliminates the threat of political interference in Internet administration, and diffuses liability among the entities involved. The international meeting in Washington, "Internet Governance and Security: Exploring Global and National Solutions," was jointly hosted by Syracuse University's School of Information Studies, the George Mason University Law School's Critical Infrastructure Protection Program, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne's Executive Master's Program in e-Governance. The event brought together legal and policy experts in Internet governance, representatives of the IETF, ICANN, DHS, the U.S. Commerce Department, the Internet Systems Consortium, and students from the e-Governance program.

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