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Mobinfo - Mobile Information
by Michael Wakahe 11 Jan '09

11 Jan '09

Check out the web and mobile directory service at this website: http://www.mobinfo.co.ke. Regards, Michael

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Civil Society Congress Forum on Kenya ICT Act
by Bill Kagai 11 Jan '09

11 Jan '09

Friends, You may wish to pen in to your diaries this interesting public forum that will be held at the Hilton on Tuesday, 13th January 2009. -Hilton Hotel, Tuesday, 13th January 2009, 2.00 - 5.00pm. -Keynote - Hon. Farah Maalim - Deputy Speaker. -Presentations - Mbugua Mureithi and Mildred Ngesa. -Discussants - Paul Muite, Ezekiel Mutua, Wahu Kaara, Linus Gitahi and our very own, Alex Gakuru. -Moderator - Haron Ndubi. -Convenor - National Civil Society Congress. Full details on today's, Sunday Standard, Pg.7. -- 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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Deadline January 18th for Citizen Media Outreach Projects
by Janet Feldman 10 Jan '09

10 Jan '09

http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/blog/2008/12/23/rising-voices-seeks-mi… Application Deadline: January 18, 2009 Rising Voices (http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org) the outreach arm of Global Voices (http://globalvoicesonline.org) is now accepting project proposals for microgrant funding of up to $5,000 for new media outreach projects. Ideal applicants will present innovative and detailed proposals to teach citizen media techniques to communities that are poorly positioned to discover and take advantage of tools like blogging, video-blogging, and podcasting on their own. As the internet becomes more accessible to more people, including mobile phone users, the so-called digital divide seems to be narrowing. In its place, however, we see a participation gap in which the vast majority of blogs, podcasts, and online video are being produced in middle-class neighborhoods in major cities around the world. Rising Voices aims to help bring new voices from new communities and speaking new languages to the conversational web, by providing resources and funding to local groups reaching out to underrepresented communities in the developing world. Please visit our current list of grantees for project examples: http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/projects. The sky is the limit, but unfortunately funding is not. Rising Voices outreach grants will range from $2,000 to $5,000. Please be as thoughtful, specific, and realistic as possible when drafting your budgets. Successful projects will be prominently featured on Global Voices. Grantees are expected to host regular workshops to train participants how to start and maintain a weblog, upload and share digital photographs, and produce basic videos. Grantees are also required to post regular project evaluations and updates to the Rising Voices website. Completed applications will be accepted no later than Sunday, January 18. Please submit your completed application on the Rising Voices apply page: http://rising.globalvoicesonline.org/apply/ Feel free to ask questions in the comments section below or by sending an email to outreach(a)globalvoicesonline.org. All the best, David Sasaki Rising Voices

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Re: [kictanet] Kibaki signs Bill into law
by David Aduda 10 Jan '09

10 Jan '09

Wainana, The media, and not only Media Owners Associations, but editors, journalists, TV and Radio anchors and producers, have always been ready for dialogue and honest one at that. We don't know your criteria for the so-called "well-thought out" memorandum, but we can assure that we had prepared many documents, which we presented to the minister, PS and PM. We will revisit them and prepare something and hopefully it will "well-though and devoid of propoganda". Aduda > ---------- > From: kictanet-bounces+daduda=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke on behalf of Wainaina Mungai > Sent: Wednesday, January 7, 2009 10:52 PM > To: David Aduda > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kibaki signs Bill into law > > The Presidential directive to Hon. Poghisio & Hon. Amos Wako has set > the pace for a new engagement strategy. Let's hope it brings to an end > the "drama queen" strategy used by media owners so far. > > The media owners will need to present well thought-out memoranda > devoid of propanganda. I hope they are ready to engage in the same way > as the ICT sector did. > > The proposals by media owners must be subjected to objective debate in > the longterm interests of the nation. > > Wainaina > > On 1/7/09, Wainaina Mungai <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> wrote: > > It sounds like Tanzania has a very objective Media Council. > > > > They recognise that the law is abit too tough but they believe the > > Kenyan media brought it upon themselves when they failed to > > self-regulate. > > > > Through the one-sided campaign, it is clear that the media has no > > intention to implement true self-regulation. Individual media houses > > are now setting standards and walking away from the biased "group > > mind" approach to issues. > > > > Let's hope that Kenya's Media Council will learn from Tanzanians. > > > > Wainaina > > > > On 1/7/09, Jotham Kilimo Mwale <jokilimo(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >> Hi All, > >> > >> Just came across this view of our Act from Media Council of Tanzania. > >> > >> http://www.dailynews.habarileo.co.tz/magazine/index.php?id=9330 > >> > >> Interesting. > >> > >> Regards, > >> > >> Jotham K. Mwale > >> > >> > >> --- On Tue, 1/6/09, Akich Kwach <kwach(a)archway-productions.com> wrote: > >> > >> From: Akich Kwach <kwach(a)archway-productions.com> > >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kibaki signs Bill into law > >> To: jokilimo(a)yahoo.com > >> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > >> Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 1:14 AM > >> > >> Hi All, > >> > >> I think it is time time we stopped blaiming our brother and sisters from > >> the > >> media. It is said that if you were in their shoes, you would be shouting > >> loudest > >> like them. I believe they have a point and I do agree with Dorcas > >> Muthoni, > >> the > >> style or approach by the media team might be the problem. As they seek > >> for > >> freedom, they have to be visionery. I am reminded of the wise advice by > >> Lyndon > >> Johnson, a former US president "You do not examine legislation in the > >> light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered, but in the > >> light > >> of the wrongs it would do and the harms it would cause if improperly > >> administered." > >> > >> To set the records straight, I do support the signing of the Bill and the > >> rest > >> of the amendments can be lobbied for later. It is sad the Wanjikus, > >> Atienos > >> and > >> Moraas outside Nairobi would find it difficult to know the benefits the > >> new > >> law > >> carries because the same media that should have passed the message is > >> still > >> in a > >> "mourning period". How can we help spread the message? > >> > >> I look forward to the discussions as stated by Walu > >> > >> Akich Kwach > >> > >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barrack Otieno" > >> <otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com> > >> To: <kwach(a)archway-productions.com> > >> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions"> > >> <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > >> Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 10:29 PM > >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Kibaki signs Bill into law > >> > >> > >> You have a point David, this convergence business is a bit confusing > >> to the waheshimiwa as well as a good number of Kenyans, i bet eighty > >> percent might no understand what is going on, Alex you seem to be > >> having some answers though your answers are too complicated :) > >> Let the debate continue > >> > >> On Mon, Jan 5, 2009 at 9:14 PM, <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >>> 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> > >>> > >> > >> > >> > >> -- 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 > >> > >> This message was sent to: kwach(a)archway-productions.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/kwach%40archway-produc… > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: jokilimo(a)yahoo.com > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jokilimo%40yahoo.com > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > > -- > > Sent from my mobile device > > > > --- > > http://www.bungesms.com > > > > TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms > > > > KABISSA.org - > > http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network > > > > KAMPALA Workshop presentation - > > http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya… > > > > -- > Sent from my mobile device > > --- > http://www.bungesms.com > > TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms > > KABISSA.org - http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network > > KAMPALA Workshop presentation - > http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya… > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: daduda(a)nation.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/daduda%40nation.co.ke > > DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is intended for the use of the stated recipient only. 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8 9

Kibaki signs Bill into law
by Wainaina Mungai 09 Jan '09

09 Jan '09

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 -- Sent from my mobile device --- http://www.bungesms.com TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms KABISSA.org - http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network KAMPALA Workshop presentation - http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya…

17 34

Fwd: W3C Workshop on the Mobile Web, 1-2 April, Maputo
by alice 09 Jan '09

09 Jan '09

FYI: Please note deadlines.... January 12, 2009 - Deadline for abstract submission see others below. best alice ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE WORLD WIDE WEB CONSORTIUM Africa Perspective on the Role of Mobile Technologies in Fostering Social Development 1-2 April 2009, Maputo, Mozambique Hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of Mozambique ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.w3.org/2008/10/MW4D_WS/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ W3C WORKSHOP CALL FOR PARTICIPATION The W3C Workshop on the «Africa Perspective on the Role of Mobile Technologies in Fostering Social and Economic Development» aims to understand specific challenges of using mobile phones and Web technologies to deliver services to underprivileged populations of developing countries, and to capture the specificities of the African context. More specifically, workshop participants will discuss the barriers for potential content providers (NGO/ grassroots, government, entrepreneur, etc.) to develop and deploy services, and the barriers for the targeted population to access these services (issues around illiteracy, internationalization, accessibility, usability, etc.). TOPICS OF DISCUSSION The Web, and ICT in general, has been recognized as a great tool to potentially resolve the historical divides between developed and developing economies by providing an infrastructure to deploy minimal services (health, education, business, government, etc.) to rural communities and under-privileged populations. A new hope is coming with the very high penetration rate of mobile telephony in emerging economies. The challenges that the workshop will explore involve a coordinated approach from different fields, and different actors. Topics that might serve as appropriate discussion points for position papers include, but are not limited to: * Analysis of use-cases / real-world projects. * Challenges of integrating ICTs in rural communities. * Usability and Human-Computer Interfaces (HCI) challenges of mobile browser and mobile content. * Challenges and potential solutions against illiteracy. * Analysis on the way the mobile phones and/or the Web could improve people's lives in developing countries. * Comparison between different potential platforms to support ICT's deployment (mobile phones, low-cost laptop, telecenters, etc.). * Challenges of sustainability, scalability and replicability. * Challenges and opportunity of integrating mobile phones in specific domains: eGovernment projects (mGovernment), e-health projects, disaster management, etc. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Representatives from the following communities are encouraged to attend: * ICT for Development experts * Academics from developed and developing nations * Field practitioners and NGO/grassroots organizations * Local entrepreneurs with experience in ICT services * Usability, accessibility and Web experts * Mobile industry and digital divide experts REQIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION There is no participation fee and W3C membership is not required in order to participate in the workshop. Because of the space limitation and to ensure relevance of interests, each participant must submit a statement of interest before February 12, 2009. In addition, each participant wishing to have a paper published on the workshop Web site and/or wishing to make a presentation during the event must submit a position paper abstract no later than January 12, 2009. More details are available on the workshop page at: http://www.w3.org/2008/10/MW4D_WS/#Participation Authors will be notified of the decision of the Program Committee by January 25, 2009. All statement of interests, as well as selected papers will be made public before the workshop. IMPORTANT DATES * January 12, 2009 - Deadline for abstract submission * January 25, 2009 - Committee decisions and abstract selection * February 20, 2009 - Program released * March 10, 2009 - Deadline for full paper submissions * March 15, 2009 - End of sponsorship opportunity * March 20, 2009 - Deadline for registration * April 1-2, 2009 - Workshop WORKSHOP ORGANIZATION The workshop will be chaired by Stéphane Boyera (W3C,Chair of the Mobile Web for Social Development group)and George Sadowsky. The Program Committee currently hosts: * Ken Banks, Kiwanja.net * Anthony Bloome, Peace Corps * Philip Hoschka, W3C * Michael Maltese, Legatum Center * Gary Marsden, University of Cape Town * Americo Muchanga, University Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique * David Sawe, Government of Tanzania * Alice Wanjira Munya, Kenya ICT Action Network * Raul Zambrano, UNDP SPONSOR THIS WORKSHOP! This workshop offers a sponsorship program, as a marketing opportunity that enables sponsors to showcase their organization and to communicate to the community of participants, and to the industry at large, that their organization is a driving force within the mobile Web for social development community. There are three levels of sponsorship (Platinum/Gold/Silver) offering a wide range of benefits. For further information, please contact Stéphane Boyera (boyera(a)w3.org) and Marie-Claire Forgue (mcf(a)w3.org) before 15 March 2009. Note: this sponsorship program is designed to enable participation by individuals and organizations with particular expertise, but who might not otherwise be able to attend due to travel or other costs. -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Re: [kictanet] Rwanda
by Barrack Otieno 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

Media issues aside, i read this article and i was wondering why cant we implement some of this ???? Electronic driving licences to be ready next month Monday, 5th January 2009 BY EDWIN MUSONI KIGALI - The Rwanda National Police (RNP) will start distributing new electronic driving licences next month to people who registered for them, the head of Traffic Police, Superintendent Robert Niyonshuti has said. The plastic license will have a built-in data bar that will contain all details of the holder. The process of registering for the electronic driving licenses commenced in the last quarter of 2008 and according to Niyonshuti, the police is now in the final stages of verifying the lists of the individuals who registered for the new licenses. Speaking to The New Times yesterday, Niyonshuti said: "registration for the licenses has ended and we are now finalising the process of verification of people put on the list to get them." Only those who owned old driving licenses were registered on the list to get the electronic ones. As a way of verification, police are checking details of the old licenses to see if they correspond with details in the police data base. Niyonshuti however added that there is a number of people who did not register for the new license because they had not got their new national identity cards. "We have considered those people as well, their registration is commencing mid this month and we request those who had not received the new IDs during the first exercise to come and register," said the traffic boss. Asked how Rwandans in the Diaspora would get their driving licences, Niyonshuti said that the National Steering Committee in charge of issuing the electronic identification is working in partnership with all Rwandan embassies abroad to ensure that every national in the Diaspora gets his or her document. "We will ensure that no Rwandan national misses or faces any hardship in getting the license," said Niyonshuti. The new state-of the-art driving licenses cost Rwf50, 000 and the government contracted the famous De La Rue, a British security printing, papermaking and cash handling Systems Company headquartered in Basingstoke Hampshire, to manufacture the cards. All the driving license categories in Rwanda will be required to be electronic and the new categories that did not exist before such as A1 and B1 for handicapped motorists will also be issued at the same technology and cost. Another new category is for D1 vehicles that carry over 30 passengers. http://www.newtimes .co.rw/index. php?issue= 13766&article= 12202<http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=13766&article=12202> 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

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Re: [kictanet] FW: Nation Media Group sacks 100 journalists forsupporting Media Bill
by Marie-Anne Kinyanjui 08 Jan '09

08 Jan '09

Absolutely not true. -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+mkinyanjui=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+mkinyanjui=nation.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of James Kagwe Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 4:29 PM To: Marie-Anne Kinyanjui Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] FW: Nation Media Group sacks 100 journalists forsupporting Media Bill Got this forward from someone..... Just wondering if this is true.... someone who might be aware Subject: FW: Nation Media Group sacks 100 journalists for supporting Media Bill In an unprecedented move aimed at gagging their own journalists, Nation Media Group has sacked 100 journalists for refusing to be used to demonstrate against the so called draconian media bill. Media owners have taken an uncompromising view of any journalist who voices a different opinion from that of media owners when it comes to the media act. Some journalists have said clearly that the media act does not contain any draconian clauses but journalists are being forced to write stories to support media owners who are scared that the legislation will weaken their power. Some of those fired include Nation News Editor Emman Omari, NTV Anchor Winnie Mukami, Coast Bureau Chief Edman Kwen.... Read full story here http://www.kenyanewsroom.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3 7&Itemid=1 <http://www.kenyanewsroom.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id= 37&Itemid=1> _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: mkinyanjui(a)nation.co.ke Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mkinyanjui%40nation .co.ke DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Nation Media Group. �To get all breaking news alerts send the word BREAK to 6667 or visit http://mobile.nation.co.ke to read news on your mobile phone.�

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Digitally Networked Technology in Kenya's 2007-2008 Post-Election Crisis
by alice 07 Jan '09

07 Jan '09

<http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/publications/2008/Digitally_Networked_Technolo…> Digitally Networked Technology in Kenya's 2007-2008 Post-Election Crisis Abstract Written largely through the lens of rich nations, scholars have developed theories about how digital technology affects democracy. However, largely due to a paucity of evidence, these theories have excluded the experience of Sub-Saharan Africa, where meaningful access to digital tools is only beginning to emerge, but where the struggles between failed state and functioning democracy are profound. Using the lens of the 2007-2008 Kenyan Presidential Election Crisis, this case study illustrates how digitally networked technologies, specifically mobile phones and the Internet, were a catalyst to both predatory behavior such as ethnic-based mob violence and to civic behaviors such as citizen journalism and human rights campaigns. The paper concludes with the notion that while digital tools can help promote transparency and keep perpetrators from facing impunity, they can also increase the ease of promoting hate speech and ethnic divisions.

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ICT SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT TRAINING, 19TH - 21ST JANUARY 2009
by Marketing ICT 07 Jan '09

07 Jan '09

*Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) /IT Enabled Services (ITES) * *SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT (SLA) TRAINING * *19TH TO 21ST JANUARY 2009* Kenya ICT Board will facilitate a BPO/IT Enabled Services *Service Level Agreement training** course on 19th – 21st January 2009 from 8a.m. – 5.p.m*, *at Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi.* This course is designed to equip participants with detailed understanding of the issues that arise in the negotiation and delivery of SLAs for ICT and BPO services such as scope creep, resources stretch, time and expectations management. It encompasses skills for developing, managing and concluding contractual agreements for BPO/ICT related services, including but not limited to :- 1) BPO services 2) Call center services 3) Data/document management services, 4) Software development and/or animation 5) In-house agreements between departments, vendors, customers 6) IT Support and shared-services - 3rd Party ICT service-based contracts including hardware support and software support *Program * *Day 1:* · Designing a Sourcing Strategy · Designing Outsourcing Agreements *Day 2:* · Developing and Managing ICT Service and Service Level Agreements · Managing Outsourcing Agreements *Day 3:* · Main components of a Service Level Agreement · Success · Failure on completion, participants will be equipped with skills for:- · Developing outsourcing and sourcing strategies · Outsourcing procurement · Identifying and stating service requirements · Managing ICT service contracts Who should attend? · CEO's and CIO's · Head of Legal Departments · Business Development Directors and Managers · IT Directors · Risk Managers · Contract Director and Managers · Procurement and Purchasing Managers · Sales Directors and Managers The total cost is *$ 500( Ksh 40,000)* but Kenya ICT Board will subsidize the cost by 80% so that participants pay *Kshs. 8,000 only.* Please email events(a)ict.go.ke to book your space today and visit Kenya ICT Board, 12th Floor Teleposta Towers to make your payments. Deadline for registration: *12th January 2009**.* Limited availability. -- Marketing Department 12th Floor Teleposta Towers, Koinange Lane Entrance PO Box 27150 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 020-8015254 / 020-2089061 Fax: 020-2211962

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ETR machines
by nancy bosire 07 Jan '09

07 Jan '09

Anyone know where i can get ERT Machines for between 15-20k? -- Sincerely yours, Nancy Bosire Managing Director Blueline Synergy Limited Tel: 020 2317230/29 Mobile: 0721907995 info@bluelinesynergy.com,nancy@bluelinesynergy.com http://www.bluelinesynergy.com Domain Registration.Web Design & Hosting.Software Development.LAN/WAN setup.Maintenance.Projectors. New/Used PCs & Laptops.Computer Accessories.Office Stationary "Your consistent thoughts create your consistent results." "Whatever your mind expects and demands, it will find a way to produce it." - Napoleon Hill Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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Fwd: Beta Testers Needed for BCAT
by Judy Okite 07 Jan '09

07 Jan '09

Info For those in the pursuit for elearning. Kind Regards, ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Priti Rohra <priti.rohra(a)n-syst.com> Date: Jan 7, 2009 10:25 AM Subject: Beta Testers Needed for BCAT To: w3c-wai-ig(a)w3.org Hello All, Right to education is universal. Education has evolved from blackboard to keyboard. Elearning has broken the geographical barriers and made it possible for people to access knowledge with ease and convenience. Despite the benefits offered by Elearning, it is not possible for students with special needs to access Elearning courses. Students using assistive technologies can with little ease access HTML based elearning but are deprived of the rich learning experience provided by technologies such as Flash. The common myth that prevails is that 'Flash cannot be made accessible' Its time that we over come this myth and change the mind set to 'Flash can be made Accessible' Net Systems Informatics & BarrierBreak Technologies have taken the initiative to break this myth and have launched the Beta version of "BarrierBreak Course Authoring Tool (BCAT)". BCAT is designed and developed to assist teachers/authors in creating accessible Flash based Elearning courses. BCAT is an easy to use tool with in-built keyboard and screen reader support enabling students with disabilities to experience the power of Elearning! BCAT comprises of two main components, Course Authoring Tool based on Moodle Learning Management System and Flash Architecture to access the course contents. In addition, the teacher/author can add various accessibility options to the course such as: Alternate Text, Captions, and Transcripts. Once the course is published, the contents are generated in to XML and users can access the course using a Flash player. The Flash course thus created provides users with an "Accessibility Panel" to meet their needs: - Show/Hide Captions - Audio Transcript - Change Themes - Small/Large Icons - Show/Hide Labels - Change Text Size We invite users with disabilities, teachers/authors, accessibility community at large to access BCAT and provide their valuable feedback and suggestions to make BCAT a tool for inclusive education. To access Beta version of BCAT, visit: http://www.n-syst.com/lms/login/signup.php. Once you sign up, you will receive an email including further instructions. Along with the email, you will receive a ReadMe file, documentation for creating a course, documentation for using the course and bug report file. The Beta Test Run is open until 20th January 2009. All suggestions are highly appreciated and will help us to make BCAT more user-friendly and accessible for all. Thanks & Regards, Net Systems Informatics & BarrierBreak Technologies Team www.n-syst.com |www.barrierbreak.com |e-learning(a)n-syst.com<%7Ce-learning(a)n-syst.com> Thanks & Regards, Priti Rohra Accessibility Tester Net Systems Informatics (India) Pvt. Ltd. Web: www.n-syst.com|www.barrierbreak.com Blog: www.barrierbreak.com/blog Please don't print this email unless you really need to. This will preserve trees on our planet. -- "Each of us is great insofar as we perceive and act on the infinite possibilities which lie undiscovered and unrecognized about us." James Harvey Robinson

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[Fwd: [Fibre-for-africa] East African Fibre]
by alice 06 Jan '09

06 Jan '09

Happy new year African fibre folk! Haven't given up hope on the African fibre mapipedia. I found a basic map on an ITU presentation of some East African fibre links. Grateful if someone could validate or even expand on them. http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=10170216144600907258… Cheers.... Steve P.S. No doubt most have seen the France Telecom announcement of the ACE cable from Gabon to France. Have added it to the undersea cable map at http://manypossibilities.net/african-undersea-cables/ -- Steve Song http://manypossibilities.net _______________________________________________ Fibre-for-africa mailing list Fibre-for-africa(a)lists.apc.org http://lists.apc.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fibre-for-africa

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FW: Nation Media Group sacks 100 journalists for supporting Media Bill
by James Kagwe 06 Jan '09

06 Jan '09

Got this forward from someone..... Just wondering if this is true.... someone who might be aware Subject: FW: Nation Media Group sacks 100 journalists for supporting Media Bill In an unprecedented move aimed at gagging their own journalists, Nation Media Group has sacked 100 journalists for refusing to be used to demonstrate against the so called draconian media bill. Media owners have taken an uncompromising view of any journalist who voices a different opinion from that of media owners when it comes to the media act. Some journalists have said clearly that the media act does not contain any draconian clauses but journalists are being forced to write stories to support media owners who are scared that the legislation will weaken their power. Some of those fired include Nation News Editor Emman Omari, NTV Anchor Winnie Mukami, Coast Bureau Chief Edman Kwen.... Read full story here http://www.kenyanewsroom.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3 7&Itemid=1 <http://www.kenyanewsroom.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id= 37&Itemid=1>

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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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A call for assistance in translating documents developed by W3C
by Judy Okite 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

We welcome your assistance translating documents developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). http://www.w3.org/WAI/translation In regards to the above request,I wanted to share info from one of the most interesting sessions that I attended at the recently concluded IGF. *Internet accessibility for persons with disabilities *The internet is about empowerment. Access to information and communication is a key aspect for participation in society. If people with disabilities are to exercise their rights actively, participate and make choices about their lives, it is essential that they can access information through adequate communication systems. For many people with disabilities, accessibility of Internet is a pre-requisite, a stepping stone for getting access to education, employment, health care, etc.. Persons with disability are primary stakeholders when It comes to the Internet development, thus should be fully Involved regarding the development of standards and the design of new communication and Information systems .What we all have to remember, is, in order to bridge the digital divide this group of persons must be included and empowered. - It is essential that all web content be accessible and understood by persons with sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities. - Websites need to be transformed to meet the accessibility standard - Information accessibility in remote areas and disadvantage groups should be given priority The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG),stipulates that all web content must be: - Perceivable - Operable - Understandable - Compatible ATAG (Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines) defines how authoring tools should help Web developers produce Web content that is accessible and conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). ATAG also defines how to make authoring tools accessible so that people with disabilities can use them The authoring tool accessibility guidelines 2.0,will be published in December 2008 and its adoption, immediate, by all stake holders. For Access for persons with Disabilities to be on equal basis with others ,we need; Accessible Web Design  Promoting Accessibility and ICT on the web to minimize cost at early stage in design ,development, production and distribution  Promote Universal Design in Development of Standards & Guidelines  Promote Assistive Technologies in Research, Development, Availability and Affordability  Provide Accessible Information about New Technologies and Support Services Best Practices for Government should include and not limited to;  Mainstreaming Disability Issues for sustainable development  Supporting Cross-Disability Stakeholder Engagement  Promoting Accessible Web Sites & Documents Resource  Free online information www.tiresias.org/publications/ disabilities_standardisation/ index.htm Closing remarks from the chair; There is a great need to have international and national legal instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the rights of People with Disabilities to promote accessibility for persons with disabilities This is a very personal and emotional remark, but we cannot allow isolation of a part of the population due to lack of appropriate functionality that prevents the use of ICT resources by everybody to the fullest possible degree. Links with further information and initiatives: http://www.icdri.org/ http://www.w3.org/WAI/gettingstarted/Overview.html http://www.itu.int/themes/accessibility/dc/ Food for thought: *Is your website accessible, understandable and perceivable by everyone? *Kind Regards, -- "Each of us is great insofar as we perceive and act on the infinite possibilities which lie undiscovered and unrecognized about us." James Harvey Robinson

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Google vs Transparency
by Judy Okite 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

I love this!! Find the reading on the link,below http://news.cnet.com/surveillance-state/?authorId=9750511 Kind Regards, -- "Each of us is great insofar as we perceive and act on the infinite possibilities which lie undiscovered and unrecognized about us." James Harvey Robinson

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Comments on Bill Posted Online
by Edith Adera 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

Dr Ndemo, Thanks for posting excerpts of the bill online (sections 46 and 88). We should actually have the FULL version of the bill (as presented to parliament) available online, although this would be accessible to the privileged with Internet access how about the masses? What happened to “our right to know”? I’ve carefully read through these sections of the bill and have some comments: 1. Apart from the gender Insensitivity of this clause “46Q b) that person provides broadcasting services in an area for which HE is not licensed to broadcast;”, I’ve some substantive comments here below: 2. Section “46K The Minister may, in consultation with the Commission, make regulations generally with respect to all broadcasting services and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, with respect to- (c) mandating the carriage of content, in keeping with public interest obligations, across licensed broadcasting services; (d) prescribing anything that may be prescribed under this Part. Comment: I worry about the unspecified powers to prescribe content and “anything that may be prescribed” by the Minister – given our past, what are the implications?. who makes regulation? Minister or Regulator? 3. section “46H (1) The Commission shall have the power to set standards for the manner, time, and type of programmes to be broadcast by licensees under this Act.” Comment – might this limit creativity and public opinion type programming that allows free speech? I’ve concerns about this section below: 4. Section “88.(1) On the declaration of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety and tranquility, the Minister for the time being responsible for Internal Security may, by order in writing, direct any officer duly authorized in that behalf, to take temporary possession of any telecommunication apparatus or any radio communication station or apparatus within Kenya, and – (b) in the case of telecommunication, that any communication within Kenya from any person or class of persons relating to any particular subject shall be intercepted and disclosed to such person as may be specified in the direction; (c) in the case of postal services, that any postal article or class or description or postal article in the course of transmission by post within Kenya shall be intercepted or detained or shall be delivered to any officer mentioned in the order or shall be disposed of in such manner as the Minister may direct.” Comment: what constitutes “interest of public safety and tranquillity” – this is subject to abuse and personal discretion. It worries me that free speech could be limited and privacy preached on any subject – e.g. complaining about high fuel costs, food crisis, impunity etc etc. I do not know about you, but the last ban on live coverage created a sense of personal insecurity, isolation and denied persons their “right to know” and the subsequent threats of prosecution did not make things any better. What are the chances of abuse in this clause? Lets remember that these laws will not only serve today but future generations with different leaders. Edith

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SEASONS GREETINGS!
by nancy bosire 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

Dear Customers, Clients & Prospective Clients/Customer, *and a prosperous 2009!* Looking forward to doing more business with you! >From the staff and management of Blueline Synergy Limited Nancy Bosire *Managing Director* Blueline Synergy Limited 1st Floor, New Rehema Hse, Rhapta Road, Westlands Tel: 020 2317230/29 Mobile: 0721907995 info@bluelinesynergy.com,nancy@bluelinesynergy.com http://www.bluelinesynergy.com Domain Registration.Web Design & Hosting.Software Development.LAN/WAN setup.Maintenance.Projectors.New/Used PCs & Laptops.Computer Accessories.Office Stationary "Your consistent thoughts create your consistent results." " It's difficult balancing optimism & realism, intuision & planning, faith & fact. But that's what it takes to be effective as a navigating leader."

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Sales and Marketing Executives
by nancy bosire 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

PLEASE FWRD I need two sales and marketing executives to be paid on commission starting January 5th 2009. my company offers ICT related goods and services. They should preferably be ladies. experience is not a must but a great personality and confidence is a must. please send CV to nancy(a)bluelinesynergy.com -- Sincerely yours, Nancy Bosire Managing Director Blueline Synergy Limited Tel: 020 2317230/29 Mobile: 0721907995 info@bluelinesynergy.com,nancy@bluelinesynergy.com http://www.bluelinesynergy.com Domain Registration.Web Design & Hosting.Software Development.LAN/WAN setup.Maintenance.Projectors. New/Used PCs & Laptops.Computer Accessories.Office Stationary "Your consistent thoughts create your consistent results." "Whatever your mind expects and demands, it will find a way to produce it." - Napoleon Hill Mahatma Gandhi once said:- First they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, AND THEN YOU WIN!!!

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Seasons Greetings & Update from Kenya BPO Society.
by Joseph Ochola 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

Dear Colleague, Seasons greetings from the Kenya BPO & Contact Centre Society. As 2008Draws to an end, we want to take this opportunity to recap on the progress the Society has made during the 2008 year. 1. Marketing and PR. · The marketing and PR Committee drafted a 3 year marketing and PR strategy that will aim at positioning Kenya as a preferred outsourcing destination. Aware of the fact that as a country we face stiff competition from Mauritius, S. Africa and Egypt, the strategy aims to give Kenya a competition edge over these countries. · KBPOCCS also launched the “Outsource2Kenya” Brand on the Month of October which will be used in marketing communications, provide an online platform for outsourcers to place their tenders, Bid for outsourcing tenders and get information on latest industry news. Log on to www.outsource2kenya.co.ke · KBPOCCS played an integral role in organizing Kenya's participation at the recently concluded Call Centre Expo in Birmingham. There was keen interest in offshoring to Kenya, by several large UK corporations such as; Cisco, Barclays UK, Capital Finance among others . The BPO Society is following up on these. The Society also referred interested outsourcers to our website where all our corporate members are listed, so they can get in contact with BPO's in Kenya whom they can discuss the possibilities of outsourcing. · The Marketing Committee has identified some key events for marketing Kenya over the next twelve months. · The Society is developing initiatives to kick start the Domestic Outsourcing industry in Kenya. · Organized one to one meetings with two potential outsourcers who had a chance to visit some of the Local BPO’s and Call Centres. Planned activities for the coming year that will actively involve raising International and Local awareness of Kenya as an offshore call centre destination will consist of; 1. Organizing and Attending International Exhibitions, Conferences and Workshops in regards to BPO and Contact Centre 2. One to One meetings with potential outsourcers 3. Advertising in international trade press 4. Media publicity in both local and international media 5. Knowledge series seminars targeted at various decision makers in the Kenyan Corporate scene. 6. Organizing and facilitating events such as; Entrepreneurship seminars, Training workshops etc. 7. Lobbying Government agencies and Ministries. 8. Joint Venture partnerships with international firms interested in outsourcing deals with Kenya. 2. 2. Training. * The Training Committee of the KBPOCCS has completed developing a Training Competency Framework in order to establish and enforce internationally recognized certifications and skills in the industry. It will be officially launched in the first quarter of 2009. * This will not only be a selling point for Kenya, both among local and international players, but will position the society as the first stop for information concerning accredited training institutions and human resource capacity in this sector. The Training Competency Framework has been aligned with existing International competency frameworks. To achieve this objective, the Training Committee plans to carry out the following activities: 1) Develop a draft TCF for Kenya adapted from internationally recognized certifying bodies 2) Hold a 3-day retreat to review the draft TCF and provide input 3) Review the curriculum currently being offered by BPO/CC training institutions in Kenya and attempt to align this with the draft Kenya Competency Framework; 4) Launch of the TCF 5) Develop a strategy for marketing the TCF to the industry stakeholders 6) Develop a TCF enforcement strategy in conjunction with the Ministry of Higher Education and conduct impact assessments 7) Conduct an assessment of Kenyan organizations to find out the skills/knowledge required for employees to excel in this industry 8) Hold 2 public forums targeting the youth (seeking training) and employers, to educate them of the TCF and present a list of institutions offering certified courses 9) Develop a database of certified personnel, in conjunction with accredited institutions 3. 3. Standards & Ethics. · The KBPOCCS officially launched the Standards and Ethics Draft document in July 2008 with an aim of establishing high standards of ethical business practices. · These standards will ensure that the Country builds a highly skilled workforce for delivering superior customer experiences that will reinforce the brand value. The Society is collaborating with various government agencies as well as strategic international partnerships to ensure that Kenya develops world class standards. · With the above in mind, strict follow up procedures and processes will have to be put in place to monitor the progress of the above mentioned. 4. Other Notable Developments · KBPOCCS successfully lobbied The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) to reduce the BPO lincense fee from Kshs. 100,000 to Kshs. 10,000. · The KBPOCCS, through constant lobbying to the Government, Kenya ICT Board managed to secure Bandwidth subsidy support that will aim at cushioning the cost of Bandwidth in the country until the fibre optic cable project is complete. THANK YOU for a wonderful and very exciting year. We hope you will to continue being active participants in this growing industry. On behalf of the Chair of the Kenya BPO & Contact Centre Society and the Executive Board, we wish you all HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a WONDERFUL & PROSPEROUS 2009 Kind Regards, Joseph Ochola Executive Officer Kenya BPO & Contact Centre Society. Studio House, along Argwings Kodhek road, 2nd floor E-mail: secretariat(a)kenyabposociety.or.ke Website: www.kenyabposociety.or.ke Tel. No. /020-2391301/ 0722-663176/ 0733-917518 _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: joseph.ochola(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/joseph.ochola%40yahoo.…

1 0

(no subject)
by Okulo Anthony 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

Anthony Okulo Okulo & Company Advocates Eden Square Complex PO Box 856-00606 Chiromo Road Westlands Nairobi Tel. 3673004 Fax. 36732323

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) Bill: Is media overacting?
by Wainaina Mungai 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

Might we be making a step forward.... I gather all TV stations shall televise the Live Debate on the Communications Bill tonight from 9:30pm The idea is to have Paul Muite, David Makali face off with PS Ndemo, Hon. Poghisio. Maybe we'll reach a middle ground tonight...instead of a trying to identify a "winner". There should be a point when we give an take...and maybe, tonight is the night ;-) WM On 12/17/08, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Gilda, > > > On Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 8:49 AM, Gilda Odera <godera(a)skyweb.co.ke> wrote: > >> My greatest concern is that in all this back and forth accusations, the >> baby will well be thrown with the water. >> > ... > > Given that the ICT industry is in dire need of the electronic transaction >> and data protection legal frameworks, amongst many other things in >> the proposed bill, why can't the contentious media issues be removed for >> further discussion so that other things can continue? The ICT industry has >> waited too long for this Bill. It was lumped with the media acts and now >> there is too much at stake. Is it too much to ask the Government to remove >> the contentious media issues from the Bill so the industry does not lose >> more time on this?How will those thousands of jobs be created if there is >> no >> agreement on the Bill. And how will media operate if the Bill is passed >> with >> such contentious issues? >> > > I feel you. > > > >> Can government meet industry players halfway by removing the contentious >> issues and letting the Bill be assented to without these issues so both >> industries do not suffer and delays please. It has to be a give and take. >> > > >From other discussants contributions, it appears that if the (Executive arm > of) government did this it'd be flouting due legislative process. i.e. > breaking the law. I stand to be corrected. > > Happy Holidays > > > >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> *From:* Mike Theuri <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> >> *To:* Gilda Odera <godera(a)skyweb.co.ke> >> *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> *Sent:* Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:47 PM >> *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] >> Kenyacommunications(amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? >> >> Brian, >> >> I hope that the media and other interested parties have taken a cue from >> the recent happenings and will now take time to study and understand the >> bill. Hopefully the media's petition via the PM was concrete and included >> alternative workable proposals. If it did not, the President and anyone >> else >> involved in taking appropriate action will not have much to work with. >> >> I agree that K24 should be commended for demonstrating professionalism and >> leadership. A debate cannot be productive if opposite sides do not engage >> freely and openly, neither can it be helpful if either party is not fully >> informed so as to understand where the other side is coming from. For this >> reason the media would do well to understand the bill not for the famous >> clause but for its provisions and work from that standpoint. >> >> It can also be hoped that all involved will take away valuable lessons on >> the need to be proactive in the legislative process. >> >> On Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 1:33 AM, Brian Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Mike, >>> >>> I could not agree with you more. What we are witnessing is rabid calls >>> for >>> deletion of a legal clause that has been in existence since 1998, and >>> isn't >>> even part of the proposed amendments - without a proposed alternative. >>> >>> It is abundantly clear that neither the media practitioners, neither the >>> civil society pundits or politicos that are baying in the streets have >>> really taken time to read through any of this legislation, nor consider >>> suitable alternatives. >>> >>> I personally think that this episode will serve as a lesson for many - >>> knee-jerk, reactionary statements that are based on speculation and >>> hyperbole can only lead to confusion and eventually embarassment. >>> >>> I give a thumbs up to the likes of K24 who have taken a very neutral >>> stand >>> and chosen to air both sides of the story and work more towards >>> enlightenment than further fuel the outright lies and misrepresentation >>> that >>> our airwaves have been awash with over the past few days. >>> >>> Brian >>> >>> On Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 10:06 AM, Mike Theuri >>> <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com>wrote: >>> >>>> Crystal, >>>> >>>> Actually, the right to assemble, discuss in public and protest was never >>>> taken away by the Patriot act. Numerous protests and marches have taken >>>> place over the Iraq war, Immigration etc since then and have been >>>> widely covered. Indeed if one was pay a visit to the environs of the >>>> White >>>> house, one will find no shortage of protesters demonstrating any number >>>> of >>>> issues from Guantanamo by dressing in orange jump suits and locking >>>> themselves in cages, Darfur, Tibetans acting out torture methods, to >>>> calling the current US administration fascist or for its removal as long >>>> as >>>> they do not interfere with others freedoms by being disruptive. The >>>> Patriot Act still stands to date, however a few of its provisions >>>> have sunset and are no longer in law thanks to a refined legislative >>>> process >>>> that pays attention to constituents views. >>>> >>>> The separation of powers principle is best exemplified in the US. The >>>> Judiciary's independence is one that should be emulated in Kenya. The >>>> fact >>>> that unconstitutional laws can be challenged and struck down by the >>>> courts >>>> is itself a protection against the infringement of citizen and >>>> non-citizens >>>> rights. Take for instance cases such as that of Bin Laden's driver >>>> (Hamdan >>>> v. Rumsfeld) or the 5 Algerian Guantanamo detainees where the US >>>> Government did not win in both cases. The fact that members of congress >>>> have >>>> signaled their intent to restore habeus corpus rights to detainees is in >>>> itself an indication of standing up for principle even when popular >>>> opinion >>>> may not agree with some principles of basic human rights. There is a lot >>>> of >>>> work and reform to be done locally, in ensuring that the different arms >>>> of >>>> Government can be as independent and those who are aggrieved by the >>>> legislature at least have an avenue of resort in which they can place >>>> their >>>> confidence to fairly strike down what could be considered >>>> unconstitutional. >>>> >>>> At the same time excessive freedom and its abuse is dangerous, were >>>> Kenya >>>> the US, elements of the media who engaged in deliberate acts at the >>>> beginning of the year would be in court today being held civilly liable >>>> for >>>> their role in inciting violence that led to the deaths of civilians. >>>> Media >>>> elements that act recklessly and carry inappropriate content would be >>>> paying >>>> hefty fines that could easily bankrupt them if they chose not change >>>> their >>>> ways. Yet we find that even with such regulations, the US media has a >>>> level >>>> of freedom that is not quite paralleled around the world. I believe it >>>> is >>>> clear that the contentious section 88 has always been present, it is not >>>> new, and thus the Government cannot possibly be trying to now use it to >>>> suppress the people's voices. As with every system there need to be >>>> checks >>>> and balances, the media has called for deletion, an approach that faces >>>> legal hurdles, but the media has not been seen to come up with clear cut >>>> alternatives such as amendments that could make it very difficult if not >>>> impossible for section 88 to be abused, these are the checks the media >>>> could >>>> be lobbying for placement in the memorandum. The media fraternity might >>>> not >>>> be law makers but they could certainly spend amounts such as the Ksh. 2m >>>> spent on advertising a prayer meeting to explain in layman terms what >>>> *alternatives* as protections they want to be included in the bill. One >>>> way >>>> or another there will be laws that deal with the media, a reality the >>>> media >>>> should accept and work towards defining rather than wishing the >>>> inevitable >>>> goes away. >>>> >>>> On Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 11:23 AM, Crystal Watley < >>>> crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org> wrote: >>>> >>>>> The Patriot Act was established in the United States in light of >>>>> terrorist activities and the Iraqi war to silence any public discussion >>>>> or >>>>> protest. The US government was able to make a list of organizations and >>>>> people they considered to be "terrorists" and to use a variety of means >>>>> powers to contain those they believed to be "dangerous to US >>>>> interests". >>>>> This Act was used to arrest many peaceful protesters, environmental >>>>> activists, and to detain Muslims without trial for extended period of >>>>> time >>>>> at places like Guantanamo Bay. Every democratic government must respect >>>>> human rights. The Patriot Act was a time bound piece of legislature and >>>>> it >>>>> has thus lapsed. Democratic governments should not attempt to use >>>>> legislation to suppress the voice of the people. Kenya is not the only >>>>> country where a minority of the population with vested interests have >>>>> attempted and have often succeeded to dominate and control the >>>>> population. >>>>> We should learn from the lessons of history, rather than repeat the >>>>> same >>>>> mistakes. >>>>> >>>>> Crystal >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 7:35 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> David, >>>>>> I thought this UK law would make our section 88 look like an evening >>>>>> game >>>>>> of soccer. From the Independent. >>>>>> >>>>>> 23 November 2003 >>>>>> >>>>>> Sweeping measures to deal with terrorist attacks and other emergencies >>>>>> are >>>>>> to be announced this week, giving the Government power to over-ride >>>>>> civil >>>>>> liberties in times of crisis, and evacuate threatened areas, restrict >>>>>> people's movements and confiscate property. >>>>>> >>>>>> The Civil Contingencies Bill, which covers every kind of disaster from >>>>>> terrorism to the weather, will be the biggest shake-up of emergency >>>>>> laws >>>>>> since the early part of the last century, replacing legislation which >>>>>> saw >>>>>> the UK through a world war and the IRA bombing campaign. >>>>>> >>>>>> Some of the proposals in the draft version of the Bill, drawn up in >>>>>> the >>>>>> summer, have alarmed civil rights activists, notably a clause that >>>>>> gives >>>>>> the Government the power to suspend parts or all of the Human Rights >>>>>> Act >>>>>> without a vote by MPs. >>>>>> >>>>>> Once an emergency has been proclaimed by the Queen, the Government can >>>>>> order the destruction of property, order people to evacuate an area or >>>>>> ban >>>>>> them from travelling, and "prohibit assemblies of specified kinds" and >>>>>> "other specified activities". >>>>>> >>>>>> If these rules had been in force during the Iraq war, critics say, >>>>>> they >>>>>> could have been used to to ban street demonstrations, making anyone >>>>>> who >>>>>> travelled to protest guilty of a criminal offence. After a major >>>>>> terrorist >>>>>> attack, forums made up of local councils, the emergency services and >>>>>> utility companies would be put in charge of trying to get shattered >>>>>> communities back together. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Ndemo. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> > Ok. Thanks. >>>>>> > >>>>>> > Sent from my BlackBerry(R) wireless device >>>>>> > >>>>>> > -----Original Message----- >>>>>> > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke >>>>>> > >>>>>> > Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:12:04 >>>>>> > To: <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> >>>>>> > Cc: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy >>>>>> > Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>>>>> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya >>>>>> > communications(amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > David, >>>>>> > There was a hitch. It will be in all papers tomorrow and will >>>>>> > ensure >>>>>> you >>>>>> > get the soft copy. >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > Ndemo. >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> I have treid to find the amended bill online with no success; was >>>>>> >> it >>>>>> >> uploaded as promised? someone please? >>>>>> >> david >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> _______________ >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> "If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, >>>>>> >> I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster." >>>>>> >> â€" Isaac Asimo, Columbian Author and Scientist >>>>>> >> _______________ >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> PO Box 3234 >>>>>> >> 00200 Nairobi, Kenya >>>>>> >> cell: +254 722 517 540 >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> --- On Mon, 12/15/08, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >>> From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >>>>>> >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya >>>>>> >>> communications(amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? >>>>>> >>> To: dmakali(a)yahoo.com >>>>>> >>> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" < >>>>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>>>>> >>> Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 1:04 AM >>>>>> >>> Mike, >>>>>> >>> Thank you for your objective views. You know very well >>>>>> >>> that there are >>>>>> >>> thousands of youth out there who have patiently waited for >>>>>> >>> this bill to >>>>>> >>> allow them trade on-line. Now Media calls theirs. >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> The outcomes of the Kriegler and Waki would hopefully deal >>>>>> >>> with political >>>>>> >>> impunity. Who will deal with media impunity? In my view >>>>>> >>> we must push >>>>>> >>> this Bill to ensure that electronic media does not continue >>>>>> >>> to corrupt our >>>>>> >>> children's minds. >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> Ndemo. >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> > Dr. Ndemo, >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> > I hope that the media note that they are on the wrong >>>>>> >>> path and move to >>>>>> >>> > change their approach. In hindsight they might realize >>>>>> >>> that the issues at >>>>>> >>> > hand could have been tackled differently.The >>>>>> >>> media's most recent actions >>>>>> >>> > only make it more difficult to resolve the very same >>>>>> >>> issues they are >>>>>> >>> > protesting. >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> > The Nation's editorial perhaps represents the >>>>>> >>> divergence in views between >>>>>> >>> > the media owners, their supporters and responsible >>>>>> >>> journalists who may >>>>>> >>> > have >>>>>> >>> > seen that things are steering in a dangerous >>>>>> >>> direction. As the matter >>>>>> >>> > drags >>>>>> >>> > on, various elements will try to take advantage and >>>>>> >>> jump onto the >>>>>> >>> > bandwagon >>>>>> >>> > to further certain agendas. It is this catalyst that >>>>>> >>> is worrisome, as >>>>>> >>> > there >>>>>> >>> > is the possibility that just as the media issue has >>>>>> >>> somehow been tied to >>>>>> >>> > economic issues, the media issue could easily be >>>>>> >>> misused by those who have >>>>>> >>> > little to do with the media. >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> > The country has many volatile problems that should not >>>>>> >>> be exploited, some >>>>>> >>> > of >>>>>> >>> > those jumping onto the media bandwagon may be seeking >>>>>> >>> to detract from >>>>>> >>> > matters facing them, others have personal agendas in >>>>>> >>> mind that can only >>>>>> >>> > progress if they are disguised as media and economic >>>>>> >>> issues. The media >>>>>> >>> > hopefully is looking at these issues in a responsible >>>>>> >>> manner, will >>>>>> >>> > exercise >>>>>> >>> > diplomacy and engage the Government in a civil way as >>>>>> >>> the best way to >>>>>> >>> > resolve the impasse. There are many Kenyans suffering >>>>>> >>> today from matters >>>>>> >>> > not >>>>>> >>> > within their control, it is a dangerous thing for the >>>>>> >>> media to act in a >>>>>> >>> > way >>>>>> >>> > that could easily stir these masses to non-civil >>>>>> >>> action as measures are >>>>>> >>> > being taken to alleviate these problems. The media has >>>>>> >>> a corporate >>>>>> >>> > responsibility in ensuring that it exhausts all civil >>>>>> >>> means of ensuring >>>>>> >>> > the >>>>>> >>> > matters are resolved. >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> > It is encouraging to know that the Government is open >>>>>> >>> for discussion, but >>>>>> >>> > there is only so much that the Government can do on >>>>>> >>> legislative matters. >>>>>> >>> > The >>>>>> >>> > Government can draft, prepare and adjust laws but it >>>>>> >>> cannot pass the same >>>>>> >>> > in >>>>>> >>> > parliament. The media must do more on its own in >>>>>> >>> approaching not just key >>>>>> >>> > leaders but ultimately the legislators who actually >>>>>> >>> vote to pass the same >>>>>> >>> > laws. >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> > On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 5:11 PM, >>>>>> >>> <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> >> Thanks Theuri, >>>>>> >>> >> Since Government is open for discussion, diplomacy >>>>>> >>> would yield better >>>>>> >>> >> results. I have seen their action plan which by >>>>>> >>> the way violates cck >>>>>> >>> >> licence agreement it is not the best rout to take. >>>>>> >>> Having spent all >>>>>> >>> >> weekend >>>>>> >>> >> using public resources (frequencies) to propagate >>>>>> >>> violence, they should >>>>>> >>> >> at >>>>>> >>> >> least wait to hear from cck. >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> >> If you read today's Nation editorial on how to >>>>>> >>> end impunity including >>>>>> >>> >> media >>>>>> >>> >> impunity you wonder if they are the same people >>>>>> >>> inciting the public to >>>>>> >>> >> violence. >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> >> Ndemo >>>>>> >>> >> Sent from my BlackBerry(R) >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> >> -----Original Message----- >>>>>> >>> >> From: "Mike Theuri" >>>>>> >>> <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> >> Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 13:19:01 >>>>>> >>> >> To: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >>>>>> >>> >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy >>>>>> >>> Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>>>>> >>> >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya >>>>>> >>> communications >>>>>> >>> >> (amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> >>> >> kictanet mailing list >>>>>> >>> >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> >> This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke >>>>>> >>> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> >> >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> > ---------------------------------------------- >>>>>> >>> > This message has been scanned for viruses and >>>>>> >>> > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >>>>>> >>> > believed to be clean. >>>>>> >>> > --------------------------------------------- >>>>>> >>> > "easy access to the world" >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> > >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> ---------------------------------------------- >>>>>> >>> 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)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 >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> ---------------------------------------------- >>>>>> >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >>>>>> >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >>>>>> >> believed to be clean. >>>>>> >> --------------------------------------------- >>>>>> >> "easy access to the world" >>>>>> >> >>>>>> >> >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > ---------------------------------------------- >>>>>> > This message has been scanned for viruses and >>>>>> > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >>>>>> > believed to be clean. >>>>>> > --------------------------------------------- >>>>>> > "easy access to the world" >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > ---------------------------------------------- >>>>>> > This message has been scanned for viruses and >>>>>> > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >>>>>> > believed to be clean. >>>>>> > --------------------------------------------- >>>>>> > "easy access to the world" >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ---------------------------------------------- >>>>>> 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)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>>>> >>>>>> This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org >>>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>>>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri… >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Crystal "Naliaka" Watley >>>>> Voices of Africa >>>>> crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org >>>>> http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ >>>>> >>>>> "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> kictanet mailing list >>>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>>> >>>>> This message was sent to: mike.theuri(a)gmail.com >>>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/mike.theuri%40gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> kictanet mailing list >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> >>>> This message was sent to: blongwe(a)gmail.com >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/blongwe%40gmail.com >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> 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 >>> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: godera(a)skyweb.co.ke >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/godera%40skyweb.co.ke >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alexgakuru.lists%40gma… >> >> > -- Sent from my mobile device --- http://www.bungesms.com TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms KABISSA.org - http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network KAMPALA Workshop presentation - http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya…

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GISPA global RFP for bulk purchase of 2 STM1s
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

Apologies for crossposting..... Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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This Thing Will Not End Well...
by Bill Kagai 17 Dec '08

17 Dec '08

The Zen Master [He of the liver juggling fame] warned that [sic] this thing [M-PESA] might not end well. One possible reason for this legendary statement was that he knew, unlike in transport, we do not have an equivalent of his 'Michuki Rules' in the ICT sector. In as much as we support the Media fraternity in the concerns they have about the Communications Bill, they ought to understand that there is a whole bunch of legislation which sector players have toiled hard to see it get in to this level of bill making in Kenya. The Media might have reasonable penetration into the public, but our ICT technology is un-matched in terms of penetration. With over 6 million Kenyans directly or indirectly benefiting from money transactions through their cell phones and well over double this number benefiting from communication, it's high time we agreed on this matter. If President-Elect Obama was in Kictanet, he would remind us of the bottom-up approach, where we can collect 6 million signatures of 'kawaida' Kenyans who benefit immensely from services such as M-Pesa to also petition the President on why he should sign this bill with 'Further Ammendments'. If we want 'this thing to end well', at least let us get the ICT Bill signed with a 'Further Ammendment' requesting Parliament to consider the sections the Media has issues with and ofcourse with our whole hearted support to the Media. -- 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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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications(amendment)Bill: Is media overacting?
by bitange＠jambo.co.ke 17 Dec '08

17 Dec '08

David, I thought this UK law would make our section 88 look like an evening game of soccer. From the Independent. 23 November 2003 Sweeping measures to deal with terrorist attacks and other emergencies are to be announced this week, giving the Government power to over-ride civil liberties in times of crisis, and evacuate threatened areas, restrict people's movements and confiscate property. The Civil Contingencies Bill, which covers every kind of disaster from terrorism to the weather, will be the biggest shake-up of emergency laws since the early part of the last century, replacing legislation which saw the UK through a world war and the IRA bombing campaign. Some of the proposals in the draft version of the Bill, drawn up in the summer, have alarmed civil rights activists, notably a clause that gives the Government the power to suspend parts or all of the Human Rights Act without a vote by MPs. Once an emergency has been proclaimed by the Queen, the Government can order the destruction of property, order people to evacuate an area or ban them from travelling, and "prohibit assemblies of specified kinds" and "other specified activities". If these rules had been in force during the Iraq war, critics say, they could have been used to to ban street demonstrations, making anyone who travelled to protest guilty of a criminal offence. After a major terrorist attack, forums made up of local councils, the emergency services and utility companies would be put in charge of trying to get shattered communities back together. Ndemo. > Ok. Thanks. > > Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device > > -----Original Message----- > From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > > Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:12:04 > To: <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> > Cc: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy > Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya > communications(amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? > > > David, > There was a hitch. It will be in all papers tomorrow and will ensure you > get the soft copy. > > > Ndemo. > > > >> >> I have treid to find the amended bill online with no success; was it >> uploaded as promised? someone please? >> david >> >> >> _______________ >> >> "If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, >> I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster." >> â Isaac Asimo, Columbian Author and Scientist >> _______________ >> >> PO Box 3234 >> 00200 Nairobi, Kenya >> cell: +254 722 517 540 >> >> >> --- On Mon, 12/15/08, bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: >> >>> From: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya >>> communications(amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? >>> To: dmakali(a)yahoo.com >>> Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>> Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 1:04 AM >>> Mike, >>> Thank you for your objective views. You know very well >>> that there are >>> thousands of youth out there who have patiently waited for >>> this bill to >>> allow them trade on-line. Now Media calls theirs. >>> >>> The outcomes of the Kriegler and Waki would hopefully deal >>> with political >>> impunity. Who will deal with media impunity? In my view >>> we must push >>> this Bill to ensure that electronic media does not continue >>> to corrupt our >>> children's minds. >>> >>> Ndemo. >>> >>> >>> > Dr. Ndemo, >>> > >>> > I hope that the media note that they are on the wrong >>> path and move to >>> > change their approach. In hindsight they might realize >>> that the issues at >>> > hand could have been tackled differently.The >>> media's most recent actions >>> > only make it more difficult to resolve the very same >>> issues they are >>> > protesting. >>> > >>> > The Nation's editorial perhaps represents the >>> divergence in views between >>> > the media owners, their supporters and responsible >>> journalists who may >>> > have >>> > seen that things are steering in a dangerous >>> direction. As the matter >>> > drags >>> > on, various elements will try to take advantage and >>> jump onto the >>> > bandwagon >>> > to further certain agendas. It is this catalyst that >>> is worrisome, as >>> > there >>> > is the possibility that just as the media issue has >>> somehow been tied to >>> > economic issues, the media issue could easily be >>> misused by those who have >>> > little to do with the media. >>> > >>> > The country has many volatile problems that should not >>> be exploited, some >>> > of >>> > those jumping onto the media bandwagon may be seeking >>> to detract from >>> > matters facing them, others have personal agendas in >>> mind that can only >>> > progress if they are disguised as media and economic >>> issues. The media >>> > hopefully is looking at these issues in a responsible >>> manner, will >>> > exercise >>> > diplomacy and engage the Government in a civil way as >>> the best way to >>> > resolve the impasse. There are many Kenyans suffering >>> today from matters >>> > not >>> > within their control, it is a dangerous thing for the >>> media to act in a >>> > way >>> > that could easily stir these masses to non-civil >>> action as measures are >>> > being taken to alleviate these problems. The media has >>> a corporate >>> > responsibility in ensuring that it exhausts all civil >>> means of ensuring >>> > the >>> > matters are resolved. >>> > >>> > It is encouraging to know that the Government is open >>> for discussion, but >>> > there is only so much that the Government can do on >>> legislative matters. >>> > The >>> > Government can draft, prepare and adjust laws but it >>> cannot pass the same >>> > in >>> > parliament. The media must do more on its own in >>> approaching not just key >>> > leaders but ultimately the legislators who actually >>> vote to pass the same >>> > laws. >>> > >>> > >>> > On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 5:11 PM, >>> <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: >>> > >>> >> Thanks Theuri, >>> >> Since Government is open for discussion, diplomacy >>> would yield better >>> >> results. I have seen their action plan which by >>> the way violates cck >>> >> licence agreement it is not the best rout to take. >>> Having spent all >>> >> weekend >>> >> using public resources (frequencies) to propagate >>> violence, they should >>> >> at >>> >> least wait to hear from cck. >>> >> >>> >> If you read today's Nation editorial on how to >>> end impunity including >>> >> media >>> >> impunity you wonder if they are the same people >>> inciting the public to >>> >> violence. >>> >> >>> >> Ndemo >>> >> Sent from my BlackBerry(R) >>> >> >>> >> -----Original Message----- >>> >> From: "Mike Theuri" >>> <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> >>> >> >>> >> Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 13:19:01 >>> >> To: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >>> >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy >>> Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>> >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya >>> communications >>> >> (amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >>> >> kictanet mailing list >>> >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> >> >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >> >>> >> This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke >>> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> >> >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke >>> >> >>> >> >>> > >>> > ---------------------------------------------- >>> > This message has been scanned for viruses and >>> > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >>> > believed to be clean. >>> > --------------------------------------------- >>> > "easy access to the world" >>> > >>> > >>> >>> >>> >>> ---------------------------------------------- >>> 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)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 >> >> >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> --------------------------------------------- >> "easy access to the world" >> >> > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > > ---------------------------------------------- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > --------------------------------------------- > "easy access to the world" > > ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

8 9

The ICT Bill, Freedom, and Democracy
by Crystal Watley 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

A free and fair media is a necessary element in any democracy. The press is the watchdog of the government. They ensure that the truth be told. The government should have no power in a democracy to control news outlets. If the bill is signed the government is essentially stealing the voice of the people so they will be able to declare a "state of emergency" when it is convenient for them. Giving the government a gag hold on the media's ability to report the truth. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights written 10 December 1948 contains two articles which are in direct opposition to Article 88 *Article 19.* Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. *Article 20.* (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association. The government already bears the right to legislate the process of broadcasting and many aspects of the bill are enlightened and will serve us well in the future, but it is necessary that it is not passed in its current form. As human beings and as Kenyan citizens we are born with the right to voice our opinions, thoughts, feelings, and demands. Is Kenya is a democracy in the Liberal sense? Then it must be bound by the tenets of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, one of the philosophical fathers of the legislative democracy. The current constitution and rule of law is an altered copy of the democratic system of government in the United Kingdom whose constitutions and political thought stem in part from his writings. In the Social Contract by Rousseau he states that "Nothing is more dangerous than influence of private interests on public affairs and abuse of the laws of the government is LESS evil than the corruption of the legislator, which is the infallible result of the pursuit of private interests." He continues that "there is no government so subject to civil wars and internal agitations then the democratic or popular, because there is none which tends so strongly and so constantly to change its form, one who demands more vigilance and courage to be maintained in its own form. It is especially in this constitution that the citizen should arm himself with strength and steadfastness, and every day of his life from the bottom of his heart what a virtuous Palatine said in the "Diet of Poland"; Malo Periculosam libertatem quam quietum seritium." This translates into English as I prefer a perilous freedom to a peaceful slavery. In Swahili - heri kupigania uhuru kuliko amani utumuani! Crystal Kigoni Voices of Africa for Sustainable Development 2008/12/15 Moto Baridi <motobaridi(a)motobaridi.com> > next thing, they'll require ISP's to block sites that include any > "offensive" text or image. > Did you just search for "paedophile" in Wikipedia? > *"Sorry. The page you requested has been deemed inappropriate by > parliament and shall not be displayed. If you have any queries, please > contact your MP."* > then they'll storm your house and confiscate those Nigerian movies because > of that barely-visible 1.2 sec bedroom scene. > this is the first step on the slippery slope towards *gov't-sponsored* net > censorship. > unfortunately, even where it has been implemented by people who understand > much > more about these things,it has failed miserably in ALL instances. > when will people ever learn from the painful experiences of others (e.g. > Australia)?? > > yours cynically, > [motobaridi] > [carpe noctem] > > _______________________________________________ > skunkworks mailing list > skunkworks(a)my.co.ke > http://ole.kenic.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks > Blog http://skunkworks-ke.blogspot.com > Beta Blog http://blog.my.co.ke > Get Skunkworks RSS Feeds: http://www.jahazi.com/rss/ > -- Crystal "Naliaka" Watley Voices of Africa crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi

2 1

Stakeholders
by Lobore Junior 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

Guys, Who are Stakeholder? insofar as this media bill is concern ? does it only affect the operations of MP's and media owners ?, are leaving out others , Oh yes.and I have always reiterated that Nairobi is not kenya but part of it and isues that affects all kenya should be given enough time. MP's should consult their constituents on such crucial matters.. by the way this is not the first time, this guys are failing us. its becoming routine. back to my questions, who are the stakeholders? Regards. Loa.

3 2

KCA Ammendment, moving forward
by Harry Hare 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

Dear All, I think it will add a lot of value if people paused for a bit and spend sometime to educate themselves on the clauses of the bill before commenting on it. Making suggestions and comments based on inaccurate media reports will not add value to this debate. I think what we are seeing is the complexity of legislating in a converged environment. As much as technologies have converged, the legal environment is yet to catch up and so are the stakeholders. Those in the know have been advising that the bill has too much scope and therefore too many stakeholders making it very difficult to steer through with all the stakeholders maintaining interest and therefore participate fully in the consultations. For instance, the ICT stakeholders want the bill through because it makes sense to them, but not our brothers and sisters from the forth estate. So how do we move forward? I think, we need to convince our media colleagues that there is no malice in the bill and they are not targeted. Let the President sign the bill in its current form but agree on a programme for an immediate amendment (just like the proposed programme on the e-Transactions section), pulling out all the media/broadcast clauses into a separate bill. So the sector will then have 3 separate bills, the Kenya Communication Amendment Bill, the e-Transactions Bill and the Media Bill. The convergence route is trendy and interesting but the reality at the moment is, we may not be able to effectively engage all the stakeholders and have a law that cuts across everything, which unfortunately is the nature of ICT. Kindest Regards Harry African eDevelopment Resource Centre eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100 Nairobi : : Kenya T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044 Training : : Research : : Consultancy

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) Bill: Is media overacting?
by Wainaina Mungai 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

David, I am very much involved the media and you & I know that it was agreed that the Action Plan includes a "blackout to..." as well as all the issues I indicated.The point is clear. I have told the truth relating to the content of the Action Plan. The question of execution is separate. Ndemo having been on K24 is does not change much but it is not in line with the Action Plan....meaning, we need to complement K24 for that step. Let's be honest in our submissions especially concerning such revelations. Wainaina On 12/14/08, dmakali(a)yahoo.com <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > That's not true. You have obviously exaggerated in trying to put across your > cheap propaganda. Ndemo was on k24 this morning and he was of course not > opposing the bill. Plus, you should ask yourself, who has come out to > support the bill and not been given airtime. > Yes, the media is campaigning, but it has not yet agreed or employed any of > the strategies you have listed. Their time is coming. And we don't need to > go to previous regimes to show brutal attacks against the media. The worst > have taken place under the current regime! > You have more to be grateful than disgusted with the media. Be just a little > more reflective and considerate otherwise your diabolical hatred of the > media lacks foundation. > David > Sent from my BlackBerry(R) wireless device > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> > > Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:08:09 > To: <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) > Bill: Is media overacting? > > > The truth is that the "supporters" you see on TV, hear on radio, read > in papers are not by accident. The Media Owners Association (MoA) > crafted a campaign strategy that includes the "media blackout to all > MPs who supported the Bill and The Ministry of Information & > Communications". > > According to persons privy to the media campaign strategy, we have a > big problem here and it's about time Kenyans were told the objective > truth. Unfortunately, the people who own the media houses are > determined to use every possible means to ensure the Bill is not > signed. You will not hear a supporter of the Bill being given > coverage. > > Why? > > The strategy is clearly not intended to yield an objective result. The > intention is to shape public opinion even through biased reporting. > The strategy includes: > > 1. Ensure President dioesn't sign the Bill, by publicly petitioning him. > 2. Take advantage of Jamhuri Day to show images of raids conducted by > previous regimes. > 3. Run a media campaign that includes 'same headline' in all papers > and similar headlines on electronic media. > 4. Shape public opinion through campains and show that the Bill is > unconstitutional...etc etc > 5. Blackout all supporters of the Bill, Ministry & only invite civil > society players who support the interests of the media. Keep watching > and you'll notice the biased reporting. > 6. The coverage of the issue in the weekend papers (circulation) is > also part of the strategy. This will not stop until the President > yields to the Media's agenda. > > The media has the right to petition the President but the problem with > their campaign is that Media Owners have actually agreed not to cover > the issue objectively. They have conspired to shape public opinion by > all possible means including excluding all those who have a different > opinion. > > In doing so, they demonstrate the need for legislative regulation. The > nation is now at the mercy of the media and the public will only be > fed with one side of the story. > > Over to you. > Wainaina > > > On 12/14/08, Kinuthia Muchane <muchanek(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> Habari, >> Maybe the media is overacting, maybe the the MPs are wrong... But one >> interesting thing about this issue is the timidity of the MPs, to begin >> with, in the news all I am hearing are our dear elected representatives >> vowing their undying support for all sorts of freedom, including that of >> Press, so my question is, isn't there one, single MP who supported >> passing of the Bill who can come out in defence of his or her stand? Or >> is it because they always pander to the Press, they do not want to be >> seen in 'bad' light . >> >> On the other hand, most of us take what we hear on the radio or watch on >> TV as gospel truth, and the unfortunate fact of life is that the >> majority of us have no other source of information, or do not seek other >> avenues of >> getting information, a fact very well >> known by members of the so called "Fourth Estate". So when they drench >> us with "details" about the dangers of the bill's amendment no matter how >> skewed their >> opinion is, we will believe them hook, line and sinker! >> If you ask me, in a country like ours with a very shaky social, >> political and economic foundation, these merchants of >> "information" should be very closely and regularly monitored, a Radio >> Mille Collines can happen here very easily... >> In any case, ain't all these media 'houses' just commercial enterprises >> out to make a tidy profit? >> >> Kinuthia... >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> ke-internetusers mailing list >> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >> > > -- > Sent from my mobile device > > --- > http://www.bungesms.com > > TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms > > KABISSA.org - > http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network > > KAMPALA Workshop presentation - > http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya… > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > -- Sent from my mobile device --- http://www.bungesms.com TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms KABISSA.org - http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network KAMPALA Workshop presentation - http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya…

13 20

ICT bill discussion
by aki 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

After a few days of reading the draft bill in relation to ICT sections 42-86, I wish to commend the various players, ict professionals for the excellent points contained in the bill which are stepping stones for further development. However, I'd like to make some comments about sections require better definitions in the near future or if possible amendments before it became law. Due to the nature of the vagueness, the laws can be exploited by self interpretations and could lead to misuse. If I may list these ( going by the draft as I do not have the final version ) : - Section 57 : More specifics needed - Section 61 to 67 : computer related and security. Is this about public or private networks and computers/servers connected to these? There is no provision in the bill that public sector/ private sector who deal with financials, senstitive info etc must comply with tougher systems that are not easily broken into or abused. This must be a two way street. How easily a system can be compromised depends on how well it is defended with appropriate technology. - Section 69 : More specifics needed - Section 70 : More specifics needed - Section 71 : More specifics needed - Section 73 : More specifics needed, similar to 61-67,70 - Section 74, 75 : More specifics needed Also not covered is data co-location services that should be mandatory for public sector and possibly private sector that hold financial, public databases and records incase of fire/theft or "sudden" disappearences. Clarity on paper would make the bill a huge success within the ICT portions. With Rgds.

1 0

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) Bill: Is media overacting?
by Wainaina Mungai 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

The truth is that the "supporters" you see on TV, hear on radio, read in papers are not by accident. The Media Owners Association (MoA) crafted a campaign strategy that includes the "media blackout to all MPs who supported the Bill and The Ministry of Information & Communications". According to persons privy to the media campaign strategy, we have a big problem here and it's about time Kenyans were told the objective truth. Unfortunately, the people who own the media houses are determined to use every possible means to ensure the Bill is not signed. You will not hear a supporter of the Bill being given coverage. Why? The strategy is clearly not intended to yield an objective result. The intention is to shape public opinion even through biased reporting. The strategy includes: 1. Ensure President dioesn't sign the Bill, by publicly petitioning him. 2. Take advantage of Jamhuri Day to show images of raids conducted by previous regimes. 3. Run a media campaign that includes 'same headline' in all papers and similar headlines on electronic media. 4. Shape public opinion through campains and show that the Bill is unconstitutional...etc etc 5. Blackout all supporters of the Bill, Ministry & only invite civil society players who support the interests of the media. Keep watching and you'll notice the biased reporting. 6. The coverage of the issue in the weekend papers (circulation) is also part of the strategy. This will not stop until the President yields to the Media's agenda. The media has the right to petition the President but the problem with their campaign is that Media Owners have actually agreed not to cover the issue objectively. They have conspired to shape public opinion by all possible means including excluding all those who have a different opinion. In doing so, they demonstrate the need for legislative regulation. The nation is now at the mercy of the media and the public will only be fed with one side of the story. Over to you. Wainaina On 12/14/08, Kinuthia Muchane <muchanek(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Habari, > Maybe the media is overacting, maybe the the MPs are wrong... But one > interesting thing about this issue is the timidity of the MPs, to begin > with, in the news all I am hearing are our dear elected representatives > vowing their undying support for all sorts of freedom, including that of > Press, so my question is, isn't there one, single MP who supported > passing of the Bill who can come out in defence of his or her stand? Or > is it because they always pander to the Press, they do not want to be > seen in 'bad' light . > > On the other hand, most of us take what we hear on the radio or watch on > TV as gospel truth, and the unfortunate fact of life is that the > majority of us have no other source of information, or do not seek other > avenues of > getting information, a fact very well > known by members of the so called "Fourth Estate". So when they drench > us with "details" about the dangers of the bill's amendment no matter how > skewed their > opinion is, we will believe them hook, line and sinker! > If you ask me, in a country like ours with a very shaky social, > political and economic foundation, these merchants of > "information" should be very closely and regularly monitored, a Radio > Mille Collines can happen here very easily... > In any case, ain't all these media 'houses' just commercial enterprises > out to make a tidy profit? > > Kinuthia... > > > > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > -- Sent from my mobile device --- http://www.bungesms.com TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms KABISSA.org - http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network KAMPALA Workshop presentation - http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya…

8 13

Mobile to Rule the Internet as Primary Device in 2020, Says Pew]
by alice 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/2008/12/mobile_to_rule_the_internet_as… Mobile to Rule the Internet as Primary Device in 2020, Says Pew By Reporter Wireless and Mobile News on December 14, 2008 6:04 PM Watch out world, the mobile internet life is approaching soon. According to a survey of experts by the Pew Internet & American Life Project that asked expert respondents to assess predictions about technology and its roles in the year 2020: Some 77% said the mobile computing device (the smartphone) with more significant computing power will be 2020's primary global Internet-connection platform. 64% favored the idea that 2020 user interfaces will offer advanced touch, talk and typing options and some added a fourth "T" - think. Nearly four out of five respondents (78%) said the original Internet architecture will not be completely replaced by a next-generation 'net by 2020. Three out of five respondents (60%) disagreed with the idea that legislatures, courts, the technology industry, and media companies will exercise effective intellectual property control by 2020. A majority--56%--agreed that in 2020 "few lines (will) divide professional from personal time, and that's OK." More than half (55%) agreed that many lives will be touched in 2020 by virtual worlds, mirror worlds, and augmented reality, while 45% disagreed or did not answer the question. The report entitled "Future of the Internet III" is built around respondents' responses to scenarios stretching to the year 2020, and hundreds of their written elaborations address such topics as: the methods by which people will access information in the future; the fact that technology is expanding the potential for hate, bigotry and terrorism; the changes that will occur in human relationships due to hyper-connected communication; the future of work and employer-employee relationships; the evolution of the tools for and use of augmented reality and virtual reality; the strength of respondents' concerns that the global corporations and governments currently in control of most resources might impede or even halt the open development of the internet; and the challenges to come as issues tied to security, privacy, digital identities, tracking and massive databases collide. "A strong undercurrent of anxiety runs through these experts' answers: They are quite sure the internet and cell phones will continue to advance at an amazing clip, but they are not at all sure people will make the same kind of progress as they embrace better, faster, cheaper gadgets," said Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project. "The picture they paint of the future is that technology will give people the power to be stronger actors in the political and economic world, but that won't necessarily make it a kinder, gentler world." The Pew Internet/Elon University survey was conducted online by invitation to experts identified in an extensive literature review and to active members of several key technology groups, among them: The Internet Society, The World Wide Web Consortium, the Multistakeholder Group on Internet Governance, ICANN, Internet2 and the Association of Internet Researchers. Many respondents are at the pinnacle of internet leadership. Some respondents are "working in the trenches" of building the Web; most of the people in this latter category came to the survey by invitation to those on the email list of the Pew Internet Project. The survey was an "opt in," self-selecting effort. That process does not yield a random, representative sample. Full results of the survey, including engaging quotes from hundreds of respondents and brief biographies on many of these people, can be found on the web here. _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

1 0

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) Bill: Is media overacting?
by Brian Longwe 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

I too, feel that this is overreaction and misrepresentation by the media. How many of the very vocal media personalities who appeared protesting have even read the proposed legislation? If they did, they would see that the powers granted are only applicable during a state of emergency. Other laws set out the process and conditions by which a state of emergency can be called. Our experiences with the post-election crisis this year exposed how partisan and instrumental media can be to fuel discontent and in many cases, media related information was used to take lives. Have the more responsible media houses forgotten so quickly the regret and guilt they expressed, when they started crying out for peace - after they realised how seriously wrong their transmissions were taken by the public? It is true that when Govt invited stakeholders to make representations regarding the bill, the media houses that bothered to send personnel sent only very junior officials - there's no knowing what kind of feedback/representations these underlings took back to their bosses. How many media houses sent representations to the house committee that was responsible for the bill when they were invited to do so? To what extent did they engage with informed contributions, proposed modifications or even proposed text to replace the offending sections? People need to realise that things like this don't happen overnight, law-making is a process that provides any citizen with the right and the opportunity to make their views felt and known. The masses that have been mobilised by the media houses should have been in Mombasa when govt, the house committee and stakeholders were meeting to among other things look at sections of the Kenya communications amendment act - not now, when their elected representatives have yielded to the due process and submitted the bill to the President. my two-pence, Brian On 12/13/08, Grace Bomu <nmutungu(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > I had signed up for the mars group protest yesterday on the > representation that it was a protest on food prices and MP'S refusal > to pay taxes. > I am disgusted that the media have used our voices for their causes > exclusively, disregarding ours. > As a Kenyan, i think there should be a review on cross-ownership of > media if democracy is to thrive. Also, considering the role of the > media in fueling ethnic/ regional backlash since 2003, isn't there > need for a check on them? > There may be misgivings on the arbitraly powers conferred to the > Minister in charge of security but media has to be checked. > The media should give suggestions on alternative ways to check them > instead of using all their airtime and acres of newspapers to win > public sympathy. > Finally, they should stop branding it ' media bill' as the bill is not > a conspiracy against media but a bill to amend the communications act. > > -- > Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com > > Grace L.N. Mutung'u > +254721898732 > +254736091242 > Kenya > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > -- 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

5 6

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) Bill: Is media overacting?
by Wainaina Mungai 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

Ok Aduda, Suggest an alternative informed direction. Wainaina On 12/15/08, David Aduda <daduda(a)nation.co.ke> wrote: > Wanaina, > > I've been wondering why you are so stuck to one position and so dismissive > of others even when people have constructive ideas! Debate is a two-way > affair and respect for other views. We respect your view, even if we don't > agree with it, but don't railroad everyone in one direction. > > Aduda > >> ---------- >> From: kictanet-bounces+daduda=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke on behalf >> of Wainaina Mungai >> Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 7:06 PM >> To: David Aduda >> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications >> (amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? >> >> Crystal et. al., >> >> Other than for a few if any, you are preaching to the choir on matters >> of the need for a "free and fair" press. We have been on the job as >> stations were shut down but that does not cloud our objectivity. We >> must discuss a fair way forward on specifics scenarios pointed out by >> Bill Kagai and others. Do not forget that the media has not been >> acting "free" and "fair". A fair press would have been objective and >> would not conspire and document their intention to sway public opinion >> through biased reporting (see the Action Plan in this thread). >> >> Way forward: >> 1. President fails to ascent: We are stuck with Section 88 for another >> 6months at a very minimum. No guarantee we'll make progress on the >> other aspects after losing 6months of much needed reforms. >> >> 2. President ascents. We still have Section 88 but this time, we are >> better off as a country on all other aspects of the Bill. If the media >> wants support in 6months for a separate Bill to repeal Section 88, >> then they can lobby us and the MPs for support. >> >> Note that the media you call "free and fair" abused their licence >> provisions through the "Action Plan" to manipulate the public to >> support them. The one-sided reporting continues except on K24 TV. >> >> Let's be very fair and honest in our proposals. >> >> Wainaina >> >> >> >> On 12/15/08, Crystal Watley <crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org> wrote: >> > Brian, >> > >> > The meeting was not made public knowledge. If it had been then possibly >> > more >> > would have attended. Myself included. >> > >> > The Communications Bill contains many well thought out policies that >> > will >> > benefit Kenya in its quest to become an leader in information and >> > communications technology in the region. I read the bill when it came >> > out in >> > its first draft form and twice more during the consultation and >> > amendment >> > period. The bill is still not ready to be passed into law. As it is a >> > serious piece of legislature it needs more discussion especially in open >> > public forums. Once the general public and the media take an issue with >> > a >> > piece of legislation it should be tabled and discussed until necessary >> > revisions are made. I would like to reiterate this bill is not ready to >> > be >> > passed into law. If it is I would encourage the media institutions to >> > challenge its legality in court. It has already been rejected in the >> > court >> > of public opinion. >> > >> > If what Dr. Ndemo and others say about the ability of the president to >> > amend >> > the act, although Kibaki is in a catch 22, he should see that the media >> > stays free. What Kenyans should be afraid of is giving the government >> > the >> > power to decide on what dictates a "state of emergency". This has been >> > used >> > in other countries to suppress the masses and give all control to a few >> > powerful individuals. The control of the many by the few is something we >> > already see in Kenya. Information and communications technologies are to >> > improve INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS. The proliferation of Kenyan >> > content >> > cannot be stilfed by the law or many will shy away from their use due to >> > fear. >> > >> > Crystal >> > >> > On Sat, Dec 13, 2008 at 6:36 PM, Brian Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> > >> >> >> >> I too, feel that this is overreaction and misrepresentation by the >> >> media.> >> >> How many of the very vocal media personalities who appeared protesting >> >> have >> >> even read the proposed legislation? If they did, they would see that >> >> the >> >> powers granted are only applicable during a state of emergency. Other >> >> laws >> >> set out the process and conditions by which a state of emergency can be >> >> called. >> >> >> >> Our experiences with the post-election crisis this year exposed how >> >> partisan and instrumental media can be to fuel discontent and in many >> >> cases, >> >> media related information was used to take lives. >> >> >> >> Have the more responsible media houses forgotten so quickly the regret >> >> and >> >> guilt they expressed, when they started crying out for peace - after >> >> they >> >> realised how seriously wrong their transmissions were taken by the >> >> public? >> >> >> >> It is true that when Govt invited stakeholders to make representations >> >> regarding the bill, the media houses that bothered to send personnel >> >> sent >> >> only very junior officials - there's no knowing what kind of >> >> feedback/representations these underlings took back to their bosses. >> >> >> >> How many media houses sent representations to the house committee that >> >> was >> >> responsible for the bill when they were invited to do so? To what >> >> extent >> >> did >> >> they engage with informed contributions, proposed modifications or even >> >> proposed text to replace the offending sections? >> >> >> >> People need to realise that things like this don't happen overnight, >> >> law-making is a process that provides any citizen with the right and >> >> the >> >> opportunity to make their views felt and known. The masses that have >> >> been >> >> mobilised by the media houses should have been in Mombasa when govt, >> >> the >> >> house committee and stakeholders were meeting to among other things >> >> look >> >> at >> >> sections of the Kenya communications amendment act - not now, when >> >> their >> >> elected representatives have yielded to the due process and submitted >> >> the >> >> bill to the President. >> >> >> >> my two-pence, >> >> >> >> Brian >> >> >> >> >> >> On 12/13/08, Grace Bomu <nmutungu(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> >> >>> I had signed up for the mars group protest yesterday on the >> >>> representation that it was a protest on food prices and MP'S refusal >> >>> to pay taxes. >> >>> I am disgusted that the media have used our voices for their causes >> >>> exclusively, disregarding ours. >> >>> As a Kenyan, i think there should be a review on cross-ownership of >> >>> media if democracy is to thrive. Also, considering the role of the >> >>> media in fueling ethnic/ regional backlash since 2003, isn't there >> >>> need for a check on them? >> >>> There may be misgivings on the arbitraly powers conferred to the >> >>> Minister in charge of security but media has to be checked. >> >>> The media should give suggestions on alternative ways to check them >> >>> instead of using all their airtime and acres of newspapers to win >> >>> public sympathy. >> >>> Finally, they should stop branding it ' media bill' as the bill is not >> >>> a conspiracy against media but a bill to amend the communications act. >> >>> >> >>> -- >> >>> Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com >> >>> >> >>> Grace L.N. Mutung'u >> >>> +254721898732 >> >>> +254736091242 >> >>> Kenya >> >>> _______________________________________________ >> >>> ke-internetusers mailing list >> >>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >> >>> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >> >>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> 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 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> kictanet mailing list >> >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> >> >> This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri…> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> > >> > -- >> > Crystal "Naliaka" Watley >> > Voices of Africa >> > crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org >> > http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ >> > >> > "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi >> > >> >> -- >> Sent from my mobile device >> >> --- >> http://www.bungesms.com >> >> TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms >> >> KABISSA.org - >> http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network >> >> KAMPALA Workshop presentation - >> http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya… >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: daduda(a)nation.co.ke >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/daduda%40nation.co.ke >> >> > > DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is > intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain > confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No > confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If > you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all > copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the > sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, > print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended > recipient. > > Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and do > not necessarily represent those of the Nation Media Group. > > 'To get all breaking news alerts send the word BREAK to 6667 or visit > http://mobile.nation.co.ke to read news on your mobile phone.' > -- Sent from my mobile device --- http://www.bungesms.com TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms KABISSA.org - http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network KAMPALA Workshop presentation - http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya…

1 0

Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment)Bill: Is media overacting?
by David Aduda 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

Wanaina, I've been wondering why you are so stuck to one position and so dismissive of others even when people have constructive ideas! Debate is a two-way affair and respect for other views. We respect your view, even if we don't agree with it, but don't railroad everyone in one direction. Aduda > ---------- > From: kictanet-bounces+daduda=nation.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke on behalf of Wainaina Mungai > Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 7:06 PM > To: David Aduda > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? > > Crystal et. al., > > Other than for a few if any, you are preaching to the choir on matters > of the need for a "free and fair" press. We have been on the job as > stations were shut down but that does not cloud our objectivity. We > must discuss a fair way forward on specifics scenarios pointed out by > Bill Kagai and others. Do not forget that the media has not been > acting "free" and "fair". A fair press would have been objective and > would not conspire and document their intention to sway public opinion > through biased reporting (see the Action Plan in this thread). > > Way forward: > 1. President fails to ascent: We are stuck with Section 88 for another > 6months at a very minimum. No guarantee we'll make progress on the > other aspects after losing 6months of much needed reforms. > > 2. President ascents. We still have Section 88 but this time, we are > better off as a country on all other aspects of the Bill. If the media > wants support in 6months for a separate Bill to repeal Section 88, > then they can lobby us and the MPs for support. > > Note that the media you call "free and fair" abused their licence > provisions through the "Action Plan" to manipulate the public to > support them. The one-sided reporting continues except on K24 TV. > > Let's be very fair and honest in our proposals. > > Wainaina > > > > On 12/15/08, Crystal Watley <crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org> wrote: > > Brian, > > > > The meeting was not made public knowledge. If it had been then possibly more > > would have attended. Myself included. > > > > The Communications Bill contains many well thought out policies that will > > benefit Kenya in its quest to become an leader in information and > > communications technology in the region. I read the bill when it came out in > > its first draft form and twice more during the consultation and amendment > > period. The bill is still not ready to be passed into law. As it is a > > serious piece of legislature it needs more discussion especially in open > > public forums. Once the general public and the media take an issue with a > > piece of legislation it should be tabled and discussed until necessary > > revisions are made. I would like to reiterate this bill is not ready to be > > passed into law. If it is I would encourage the media institutions to > > challenge its legality in court. It has already been rejected in the court > > of public opinion. > > > > If what Dr. Ndemo and others say about the ability of the president to amend > > the act, although Kibaki is in a catch 22, he should see that the media > > stays free. What Kenyans should be afraid of is giving the government the > > power to decide on what dictates a "state of emergency". This has been used > > in other countries to suppress the masses and give all control to a few > > powerful individuals. The control of the many by the few is something we > > already see in Kenya. Information and communications technologies are to > > improve INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS. The proliferation of Kenyan content > > cannot be stilfed by the law or many will shy away from their use due to > > fear. > > > > Crystal > > > > On Sat, Dec 13, 2008 at 6:36 PM, Brian Longwe <blongwe(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > >> > >> I too, feel that this is overreaction and misrepresentation by the media.> > >> How many of the very vocal media personalities who appeared protesting > >> have > >> even read the proposed legislation? If they did, they would see that the > >> powers granted are only applicable during a state of emergency. Other laws > >> set out the process and conditions by which a state of emergency can be > >> called. > >> > >> Our experiences with the post-election crisis this year exposed how > >> partisan and instrumental media can be to fuel discontent and in many > >> cases, > >> media related information was used to take lives. > >> > >> Have the more responsible media houses forgotten so quickly the regret and > >> guilt they expressed, when they started crying out for peace - after they > >> realised how seriously wrong their transmissions were taken by the public? > >> > >> It is true that when Govt invited stakeholders to make representations > >> regarding the bill, the media houses that bothered to send personnel sent > >> only very junior officials - there's no knowing what kind of > >> feedback/representations these underlings took back to their bosses. > >> > >> How many media houses sent representations to the house committee that was > >> responsible for the bill when they were invited to do so? To what extent > >> did > >> they engage with informed contributions, proposed modifications or even > >> proposed text to replace the offending sections? > >> > >> People need to realise that things like this don't happen overnight, > >> law-making is a process that provides any citizen with the right and the > >> opportunity to make their views felt and known. The masses that have been > >> mobilised by the media houses should have been in Mombasa when govt, the > >> house committee and stakeholders were meeting to among other things look > >> at > >> sections of the Kenya communications amendment act - not now, when their > >> elected representatives have yielded to the due process and submitted the > >> bill to the President. > >> > >> my two-pence, > >> > >> Brian > >> > >> > >> On 12/13/08, Grace Bomu <nmutungu(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>> > >>> I had signed up for the mars group protest yesterday on the > >>> representation that it was a protest on food prices and MP'S refusal > >>> to pay taxes. > >>> I am disgusted that the media have used our voices for their causes > >>> exclusively, disregarding ours. > >>> As a Kenyan, i think there should be a review on cross-ownership of > >>> media if democracy is to thrive. Also, considering the role of the > >>> media in fueling ethnic/ regional backlash since 2003, isn't there > >>> need for a check on them? > >>> There may be misgivings on the arbitraly powers conferred to the > >>> Minister in charge of security but media has to be checked. > >>> The media should give suggestions on alternative ways to check them > >>> instead of using all their airtime and acres of newspapers to win > >>> public sympathy. > >>> Finally, they should stop branding it ' media bill' as the bill is not > >>> a conspiracy against media but a bill to amend the communications act. > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com > >>> > >>> Grace L.N. Mutung'u > >>> +254721898732 > >>> +254736091242 > >>> Kenya > >>> _______________________________________________ > >>> ke-internetusers mailing list > >>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > >>> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > >>> > >> > >> > >> > >> -- > >> 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 > >> _______________________________________________ > >> kictanet mailing list > >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > >> > >> This message was sent to: crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > >> Unsubscribe or change your options at > >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/crystal%40voicesofafri…> > >> > >> > > > > > > -- > > Crystal "Naliaka" Watley > > Voices of Africa > > crystal(a)voicesofafrica.org > > http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ > > > > "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi > > > > -- > Sent from my mobile device > > --- > http://www.bungesms.com > > TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms > > KABISSA.org - http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network > > KAMPALA Workshop presentation - > http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya… > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: daduda(a)nation.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/daduda%40nation.co.ke > > DISCLAIMER: The information contained in or accompanying this e-mail is intended for the use of the stated recipient only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Nation Media Group. To get all breaking news alerts send the word BREAK to 6667 or visit http://mobile.nation.co.ke to read news on your mobile phone.

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) Bill: Is media overacting?
by Wainaina Mungai 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

Kaikai, I propose we focus on the issues below: 1. Section 88 and the fact that the absence of the Presidential ascent wouldn't change anything for atleast the next six months. The suggestion is that media pursues the path of a "futher amendments" Bill that shall be debated separately. There should be no guarantee it will be passed. 2. Content regulation and the fact that it does not threaten freedom of expression. The issues have been clarified here and in other fora. 3. The "Action Plan" of the Media Owners Association and the clauses that indicate their willingness to abuse the power given to them. Put this in context of the powers you want Kenyans to entrust you with. You do not add value to the debate by branding as "media bashers" or hypocrites those of us who have realised with time that absolute power corrupts absolutely even in the media. Regards, Wainaina On 12/16/08, Linus Kaikai <lkaikai(a)ktnkenya.com> wrote: > Dr. Ndemo, > > It is puzzling that throughout your meetings with us we never got to hear of > some of the issues you are now raising on Kictanet like 'Media impunity' and > 'corrupting children minds.' The latter was of course the very same line > used by Mao and later Deng Xiaoping to cut off information flow to the > Chinese masses, and that is having concluded the entire population is made > up of children! There's a great deal of dishonesty around this whole issue. > The contentious clauses in my view are an extension of your ban of live > broadcast on the evening of December 30; a ban that neither worked nor > helped in way in pushing through suspect election results. Bwana PS the > larger picture is the country is walking down a retrogressive path and the > clauses in the Communication Bill are only part of a number of things that > are going wrong especially with politics and governance. Bwana PS sections > of this Bill are not anything you would be proud of 5 years from now. > > For the rest of the media-bashing crowd on Kictanet, yours is the hypocrisy > killing our country. When Moi was president the media and outspoken > diplomats were your heroes. Now they are villains. How convenient! > > About the bill, I am so keen to hear your take on the March 2, 2006 raid on > the Standard and KTN for such are the actions the new bill would make > perfectly legal! > > > Linus > > -----Original Message----- > From: kictanet-bounces+lkaikai=ktnkenya.com(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+lkaikai=ktnkenya.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On > Behalf Of bitange(a)jambo.co.ke > Sent: 14 December 2008 22:04 > To: lkaikai(a)ktnkenya.com > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya > communications(amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? > > Mike, > Thank you for your objective views. You know very well that there are > thousands of youth out there who have patiently waited for this bill to > allow them trade on-line. Now Media calls theirs. > > The outcomes of the Kriegler and Waki would hopefully deal with political > impunity. Who will deal with media impunity? In my view we must push > this Bill to ensure that electronic media does not continue to corrupt our > children's minds. > > Ndemo. > > >> Dr. Ndemo, >> >> I hope that the media note that they are on the wrong path and move to >> change their approach. In hindsight they might realize that the issues at >> hand could have been tackled differently.The media's most recent actions >> only make it more difficult to resolve the very same issues they are >> protesting. >> >> The Nation's editorial perhaps represents the divergence in views between >> the media owners, their supporters and responsible journalists who may >> have >> seen that things are steering in a dangerous direction. As the matter >> drags >> on, various elements will try to take advantage and jump onto the >> bandwagon >> to further certain agendas. It is this catalyst that is worrisome, as >> there >> is the possibility that just as the media issue has somehow been tied to >> economic issues, the media issue could easily be misused by those who have >> little to do with the media. >> >> The country has many volatile problems that should not be exploited, some >> of >> those jumping onto the media bandwagon may be seeking to detract from >> matters facing them, others have personal agendas in mind that can only >> progress if they are disguised as media and economic issues. The media >> hopefully is looking at these issues in a responsible manner, will >> exercise >> diplomacy and engage the Government in a civil way as the best way to >> resolve the impasse. There are many Kenyans suffering today from matters >> not >> within their control, it is a dangerous thing for the media to act in a >> way >> that could easily stir these masses to non-civil action as measures are >> being taken to alleviate these problems. The media has a corporate >> responsibility in ensuring that it exhausts all civil means of ensuring >> the >> matters are resolved. >> >> It is encouraging to know that the Government is open for discussion, but >> there is only so much that the Government can do on legislative matters. >> The >> Government can draft, prepare and adjust laws but it cannot pass the same >> in >> parliament. The media must do more on its own in approaching not just key >> leaders but ultimately the legislators who actually vote to pass the same >> laws. >> >> >> On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 5:11 PM, <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> wrote: >> >>> Thanks Theuri, >>> Since Government is open for discussion, diplomacy would yield better >>> results. I have seen their action plan which by the way violates cck >>> licence agreement it is not the best rout to take. Having spent all >>> weekend >>> using public resources (frequencies) to propagate violence, they should >>> at >>> least wait to hear from cck. >>> >>> If you read today's Nation editorial on how to end impunity including >>> media >>> impunity you wonder if they are the same people inciting the public to >>> violence. >>> >>> Ndemo >>> Sent from my BlackBerry(R) >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: "Mike Theuri" <mike.theuri(a)gmail.com> >>> >>> Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 13:19:01 >>> To: <bitange(a)jambo.co.ke> >>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications >>> (amendment)Bill: Is media overacting? >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke >>> >>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >> believed to be clean. >> --------------------------------------------- >> "easy access to the world" >> >> > > > > ---------------------------------------------- > 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)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: lkaikai(a)ktnkenya.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/lkaikai%40ktnkenya.com > > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > > > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/wainaina%40madeinkenya… > -- Sent from my mobile device --- http://www.bungesms.com TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms KABISSA.org - http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network KAMPALA Workshop presentation - http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya…

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Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment)Bill: Is media overacting?
by alice 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

Hi David Below are excerpts from the "Action Plan" ........................................ Dear Members Following this morning's meeting find attached today's press release, presented at today's press conference by Vice Chairman Martin Khafafa. The following is our action plan for at least the next week: Our key objectives are: · Ensure the bill is not signed in to law, therefore petition the President in public through media campaigns and formally by presenting the petition · Shape public opinion through a media campaigns on all media and talk shows – create a public debate · Demonstrate this bill is unconstitutional and tramples on Kenyan's hard fought media freedom; freedom of expression and freedom of information ACTION PLAN 1. Press conference – 11^th December 2008 2. Petition the President not to sign the bill in to law – the formal petition is currently being drafted by Hon Paul Muite – PQ/Martin, SK and Linus will follow this up. This petition will be presented to the Prime Minister and Amb Muthaura next week. An appointment with the president will be arranged for key MOA members to present the petition 3. Media Campaign – starting today, we will run, radio, TV and print advertising sensitizing the public why this bill is wrong for Kenya. Key objective is to shape public opinion and educate them on the bill. PQ is spearheading this campaign and will distribute the advert to all members 4. Jamhuri Day – We will cover the event on TV, however we will show a split screen with various scenes of attacks on media e.g Standard raid, Royal Media, etc with scroll messages on the bill and what it portends for media freedom and expression. Conrad of NMG is spearheading this 5. Coverage of MPs and Ministry of Information – media blackout for all MPs who voted for the bill and the Ministry of Information – Joe Odindo will get copy of the Hansard and circulate to members 6. Joint headlines with different editorials – Print media will have a joint headline – Joe, PQ and Wachira will co-ordinate 7. All media houses invite civil society, opinion leaders who support media on this issue to their stations to educate audiences on the bill; organize voting and other promotions for the public to participate in the debate 8. Print media will run an education campaign show history of "political repression" in various articles especially this weekend The above action plan will run until we achieve our objectives, from time to time members will consult and modify campaigns or adjust the plans. All members will be informed of any changes. Feel free to include your input, we need to be united on this issue and speak from one page. Kind regards Sheila MOA Secretary dmakali(a)yahoo.com wrote: > Wich media plan of action? Can anyone state here what is says or publish it please? This is typical strawman propaganda. > If the media doesn't rep the public show me who goes, alice. > > Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device > > -----Original Message----- > From: alice <alice(a)apc.org> > > Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:38:48 > To: <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) > Bill: Is media overacting? > > > Dear Dr. Ndemo and all, > > The Media plan of action does indeed amount to some serious offenses, > not least abuse of public resources. Also agree that we need an open > parliament., we can not let the media claim to speak for the public > anymore. > > > best > alice > > > bitange(a)jambo.co.ke wrote: > >> Dear Edith, >> We are uploading the published bill in the next one hour. It will indeed >> help if everybody reads it before they make any comments. I would want >> anybody to point any section in the published ammendment that limits press >> freedom. You participated in most of our early interactions and the >> intent on the broadcast section was very well understood - to introduce >> proper regulatory mechanism. >> >> My friend Kaikai wants me to prove that in the past few days media has >> been propagating violence. Most of you saw their plan of action which >> lawyers tell me amounts to serous offence. >> >> >> Ndemo. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> It worries me that the masses are taking sides depending on what others >>> say, rather than to read the bill themselves. Is there a "popular version" >>> of the bill for ordinary Kenyans? Can we get a copy of the current bill or >>> be pointed to where the latest version can be downloaded? This information >>> is not necessarily within the public domain. >>> >>> It is high time we do not leave our future in the hands of afew, but let >>> everyone be educated about the issues at hand so they can engage from an >>> informed standpoint - we need an OPEN parliament. We have enough digital >>> tools to allow interaction between parliament and the governed. >>> >>> Edith >>> >>> ________________________________________ >>> From: kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> [kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of >>> alice [alice(a)apc.org] >>> Sent: 14 December 2008 19:40 >>> To: Edith Adera >>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications >>> (amendment) Bill: Is media overacting? >>> >>> David, >>> >>> Perhaps the media could start by reporting accurately. Some of the >>> sections the media find so offensive already exist in the 1998 >>> communications act. So why not present the big full picture to all and >>> especially the public? >>> >>> >>> alice >>> >>> (Views expressed are personal and not a reflection of any of the >>> organizations I am affiliated with) >>> >>> >>> >>> dmakali(a)yahoo.com wrote: >>> >>> >>>> Wainaina >>>> I can't argue against your sources but am certain that stage of black >>>> out for mps hasn't been reached at all. In fact we are meeting tue to >>>> evaluate exactly the import of the passage of that bill and bring every1 >>>> on the same page. >>>> Of course blacking out not just some 25 mps but all is very much a >>>> possible line of action. And for good reason- these mps did not consider >>>> ANY of the changes we proposed. That gang approach doesn't lend itself >>>> to decent engagement frm the media. They have abused their power and >>>> ignored our views, not reasonably but glibly. >>>> I am totally in agrment with thoz who argue the broadcast media needs >>>> regulation, because it is true. I don't even share some defensive views >>>> about ownership held by moa- I see no value in nmg getting more radio or >>>> tv frequencies for eg coz they already have too many, or royal media >>>> having all thoz frequencies. Its simply obscene. But that is a diff >>>> story frm govt getting into micro management of media conent or , the >>>> minister having power to raid and confiscate equipment or occupy or take >>>> over a media house. There was no emergency wen michuki used mercenaries >>>> to raid standard. >>>> Plus the ethical issues being raised about content can and are already >>>> addressed under the media act. The worst thing you want is to invite >>>> govt fiat into content matters. You will rue the day you get a >>>> dictatorial govt. Examples are many. >>>> Similarly, how do you allow the minister to give directions to a >>>> commission that's supposd to be independent? He shud take its advice not >>>> rubber stamp his decisions. And how do you have a commission appointed >>>> solely by the minister without any guidelines? Criteria to follow? >>>> Finally did you see the clause about kbc? Nothing about its roles, and >>>> obligations? Even the principal act is beta! >>>> Well, wainaina and other kictanets, it would be useful to speak to these >>>> issues even as you condemn the media for obviously lopsided reporting >>>> and wailing. >>>> David >>>> >>>> Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> >>>> >>>> Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:53:55 >>>> To: <dmakali(a)yahoo.com>; KICTAnet ICT Policy >>>> Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>>> Subject: Re: [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications (amendment) Bill: >>>> Is media overacting? >>>> >>>> >>>> David, >>>> >>>> I am very much involved the media and you & I know that it was agreed >>>> that the Action Plan includes a "blackout to..." as well as all the >>>> issues I indicated.The point is clear. I have told the truth relating >>>> to the content of the Action Plan. >>>> >>>> The question of execution is separate. Ndemo having been on K24 is >>>> does not change much but it is not in line with the Action >>>> Plan....meaning, we need to complement K24 for that step. >>>> >>>> Let's be honest in our submissions especially concerning such >>>> revelations. >>>> >>>> Wainaina >>>> >>>> On 12/14/08, dmakali(a)yahoo.com <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> That's not true. You have obviously exaggerated in trying to put across >>>>> your >>>>> cheap propaganda. Ndemo was on k24 this morning and he was of course >>>>> not >>>>> opposing the bill. Plus, you should ask yourself, who has come out to >>>>> support the bill and not been given airtime. >>>>> Yes, the media is campaigning, but it has not yet agreed or employed >>>>> any of >>>>> the strategies you have listed. Their time is coming. And we don't >>>>> need to >>>>> go to previous regimes to show brutal attacks against the media. The >>>>> worst >>>>> have taken place under the current regime! >>>>> You have more to be grateful than disgusted with the media. Be just a >>>>> little >>>>> more reflective and considerate otherwise your diabolical hatred of the >>>>> media lacks foundation. >>>>> David >>>>> Sent from my BlackBerry(R) wireless device >>>>> >>>>> -----Original Message----- >>>>> From: "Wainaina Mungai" <wainaina(a)madeinkenya.org> >>>>> >>>>> Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:08:09 >>>>> To: <dmakali(a)yahoo.com> >>>>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>>>> Subject: Re: [kictanet] [ke-internetusers] Kenya communications >>>>> (amendment) >>>>> Bill: Is media overacting? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The truth is that the "supporters" you see on TV, hear on radio, read >>>>> in papers are not by accident. The Media Owners Association (MoA) >>>>> crafted a campaign strategy that includes the "media blackout to all >>>>> MPs who supported the Bill and The Ministry of Information & >>>>> Communications". >>>>> >>>>> According to persons privy to the media campaign strategy, we have a >>>>> big problem here and it's about time Kenyans were told the objective >>>>> truth. Unfortunately, the people who own the media houses are >>>>> determined to use every possible means to ensure the Bill is not >>>>> signed. You will not hear a supporter of the Bill being given >>>>> coverage. >>>>> >>>>> Why? >>>>> >>>>> The strategy is clearly not intended to yield an objective result. The >>>>> intention is to shape public opinion even through biased reporting. >>>>> The strategy includes: >>>>> >>>>> 1. Ensure President dioesn't sign the Bill, by publicly petitioning >>>>> him. >>>>> 2. Take advantage of Jamhuri Day to show images of raids conducted by >>>>> previous regimes. >>>>> 3. Run a media campaign that includes 'same headline' in all papers >>>>> and similar headlines on electronic media. >>>>> 4. Shape public opinion through campains and show that the Bill is >>>>> unconstitutional...etc etc >>>>> 5. Blackout all supporters of the Bill, Ministry & only invite civil >>>>> society players who support the interests of the media. Keep watching >>>>> and you'll notice the biased reporting. >>>>> 6. The coverage of the issue in the weekend papers (circulation) is >>>>> also part of the strategy. This will not stop until the President >>>>> yields to the Media's agenda. >>>>> >>>>> The media has the right to petition the President but the problem with >>>>> their campaign is that Media Owners have actually agreed not to cover >>>>> the issue objectively. They have conspired to shape public opinion by >>>>> all possible means including excluding all those who have a different >>>>> opinion. >>>>> >>>>> In doing so, they demonstrate the need for legislative regulation. The >>>>> nation is now at the mercy of the media and the public will only be >>>>> fed with one side of the story. >>>>> >>>>> Over to you. >>>>> Wainaina >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 12/14/08, Kinuthia Muchane <muchanek(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> Habari, >>>>>> Maybe the media is overacting, maybe the the MPs are wrong... But one >>>>>> interesting thing about this issue is the timidity of the MPs, to >>>>>> begin >>>>>> with, in the news all I am hearing are our dear elected >>>>>> representatives >>>>>> vowing their undying support for all sorts of freedom, including that >>>>>> of >>>>>> Press, so my question is, isn't there one, single MP who supported >>>>>> passing of the Bill who can come out in defence of his or her stand? >>>>>> Or >>>>>> is it because they always pander to the Press, they do not want to be >>>>>> seen in 'bad' light . >>>>>> >>>>>> On the other hand, most of us take what we hear on the radio or watch >>>>>> on >>>>>> TV as gospel truth, and the unfortunate fact of life is that the >>>>>> majority of us have no other source of information, or do not seek >>>>>> other >>>>>> avenues of >>>>>> getting information, a fact very well >>>>>> known by members of the so called "Fourth Estate". So when they drench >>>>>> us with "details" about the dangers of the bill's amendment no matter >>>>>> how >>>>>> skewed their >>>>>> opinion is, we will believe them hook, line and sinker! >>>>>> If you ask me, in a country like ours with a very shaky social, >>>>>> political and economic foundation, these merchants of >>>>>> "information" should be very closely and regularly monitored, a Radio >>>>>> Mille Collines can happen here very easily... >>>>>> In any case, ain't all these media 'houses' just commercial >>>>>> enterprises >>>>>> out to make a tidy profit? >>>>>> >>>>>> Kinuthia... >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> ke-internetusers mailing list >>>>>> ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net >>>>>> http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> Sent from my mobile device >>>>> >>>>> --- >>>>> http://www.bungesms.com >>>>> >>>>> TWITTER - http://www.twitter.com/bungesms >>>>> >>>>> KABISSA.org - >>>>> http://www.kabissa.org/about/news/member-spotlight-made-kenya-network >>>>> >>>>> KAMPALA Workshop presentation - >>>>> http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/sites/default/files/presentations/BungeSMS_MadeinKenya… >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> 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: eadera(a)idrc.or.ke >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/eadera%40idrc.or.ke >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: bitange(a)jambo.co.ke >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bitange%40jambo.co.ke >>> >>> ---------------------------------------------- >>> This message has been scanned for viruses and >>> dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is >>> believed to be clean. >>> --------------------------------------------- >>> "easy access to the world" >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------- >> 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)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: alice(a)apc.org >> Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alice%40apc.org >> >> >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 >

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[Fwd: [AfrICANN-discuss] Ten Guiding Principles for E-civil Service]
by alice 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

Very interesting read in view of what is currently going on........ best alice http://egov-india.blogspot.com/ Monday, December 01, 2008 Ten Guiding Principles for E-civil Service <http://egov-india.blogspot.com/2008/12/ten-guiding-principles-for-e-civil.h…> /*Ten Guiding Principles for E-civil Service by D.C.Misra**/ _____________________________________________________________________________________ /*I Introduction*/ Is there anything called e-civil service or electronic civil service? If so, what is it? How does it differ from the traditional civil service? How can it keep pace with technological developments? What role does it have in Government 2.0? Is there any conflict between old conduct rules for the civil servants and the new environment? What role does e-civil service play in the development of e-government? Does it require separate recognition as an entity and support so that it can accelerate the pace of development of e-government worldwide? Questions like these must be asked and replies attempted as they have direct bearing on the future course of development of e-government. /*II E-civil Service*/ There are two primary drivers of e-government: technology vendors and civil service. Technology vendors have succeeded in promoting e-government but to a limited extent. Their limitation is that their promotion of e-government is limited to their own technology. Civil service has also promoted e-government but to a much lesser extent. Its limitations are that it works under a rule-bound environment, is always caught napping in technology developments, and above all, has no motivation to promote e-government. Among the two, however, civil service has greater stakes in e-government as it is required to serve the government in power as well as citizens. Government implements its decisions through civil service. The civil service also provides policy inputs. Civil service is appropriately described as the backbone of government as government policies and programme can fail in implementation by the civil service or wrong policies can be formulated with its help. What, however, is not recognized is the quiet emergence of e-civil service or electronic civil service in tandem with the emergence of e-government since mid-1990s. If e-government is to succeed, not only the emergence of e-civil service has to be recognized but strengthened as well so as to enable it face the new challenge of e-government competently. /E-civil service /or /electronic civil service /may be defined in two important and markedly different senses: /E-civil service /or /electronic civil service/: As the civil service using information and communication technology (ICT) in conducting its internal work and external public service delivery. It differs from the traditional civil service on a number of important parameters. We will refer to it as e-civil service or electronic civil service. /Ai-civil service /or /artificial intelligence (AI) civil service/: As artificial intelligence (AI) agents performing the civil service jobs, say, determining amount of fine in traffic violations. Chun (2007) describes application of artificial intelligence (AI) in immigration control in Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR) by using assessment rule engine, schema-based reasoning engine, workflow rule engine, case-based reasoning (CBR) engine, and self-learning engine. E-civil service and AI- civil service can be distinguished. The emergence of e-government has increased the responsibility of civil service by incorporating the requirements of e-civil service and ai-civil service. In the initial stages of development of e-government, the traditional civil service, e-civil service and ai-civil service will all co-exist. E-civil service and ai-civil service are thus add-on to the existing civil service and not its replacement. It is only in the final stage that one can think of e-civil service and ai-civil service replacing the traditional civil service, and that too only in part, notwithstanding the projections of futurologists. However, e-civil service and ai-civil service both will gain increasingly more ground with the passage of time. In the new environment of e-governance, therefore, the task of civil service has become quite enormous, unprecedented and, yes, very challenging. /*III An E-democracy Model Highlighting the Key Role of E-civil Service*/ An e-democracy model highlighting the key role of e-civil service can now be proposed. The model proposes that (i) e-civil service is the backbone of government and e-government, (ii) e-civil service is required to serve democracy and e-democracy on the one hand and citizen and e-citizen on the other, (iii) Democracy is characterized by rule by majority, and adult suffrage, (iv) E-democracy is characterized by the Internet and e-engagement, (v) Democracy-performance mismatch has resulted in widespread embracing of e-government, and (vi) e-engagement is an integral part of e-government. /*IV Guiding Principles for Development of E-civil Service*/The e-democracy model proposed above (Section III) highlights the key role of e-civil service in promoting e-democracy. The coming into being of e-civil service is raising a number of important issues, many of which are unprecedented, which require to be addressed. Fountain (2007:6-7) observes "In one sense, digital tools merely enhanced the power of a set of reforms already underway and accepted as legitimate and appropriate by civil servants. Yet the extraordinary power of the internet to allow citizens to access government "anytime, anywhere," greatly increased accessibility and made abstruse government documents and procedures, now online, more glaringly unresponsive to citizens." The following ten guiding principles are suggested for the development of e-civil service. /*Principle 1. Recognise the Emergence of E-Civil Service*/ E-civil service is quietly entering the governments worldwide. However, it has so far not been formally recognized. This has twofold consequences. First, the non-recognition deprives e-civil service of any systematic development as a result of which the quality of e-government is adversely affected. Secondly, the non-recognition is leading to piling up of issues which, with passage of time, are only getting more complicated making their subsequent solution elusive, time-consuming and costly. Thirdly, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to civil service tasks has given rise to, what this author has called, artificial intelligence (AI) civil service, has also not being recognized. New technologies create policy vacuums (Moor 1985). However, the policy vacuum created by the emergence of e-civil service has so far not been filled. It has thus become essential to formally recognize the emergence of e-civil service. /*Principle 2. Encourage Civil Service to Work Online*/ One of the main conclusions of case studies of e-government projects in five countries-Argentina, Mexico, India, United Arab Emirates, and Tunisia- analyzed to see how personnel issues slowed implementation of e-government projects is that "High-level support does not ensure staff buy-in." (WB 2005). There is so far no incentive for civil servants to work online. As a result, adoption of e-government practices is slow in civil service. The typical incentives are an entry of work done online in annual performance appraisal, grant of an increment in salary for doing good work, and formal recognition by grant of award for exemplary work in e-government. These are, however, mundane incentives which have only limited impact, if any. A mandatory policy may prove to be counter-productive as it may invite hostility from civil servants. Likewise an absence of policy will only maintain status quo. A middle path may be a practical strategy. For example, a mandatory policy may be adopted for routine tasks in the civil service like sanction of casual leave, approval of tour programme and filing of property returns. For rest of the tasks, civil service has to be encouraged to work online by providing appropriate incentives. /*Principle 3. Encourage E-civil Service to Use Web 2.0 Technologies*/The essence of Web 2.0 or Social Web is interactivity. And Web 2.0 is a reality. Many civil servants lurk in discussion groups but do not actively participate in discussion for fear of violating conduct rules and inviting the wrath of their superiors. On their part, the governments too have so far also not issued any guidelines on this issue. In a pioneering attempt, Cabinet Office in United Kingdom has issued the following guidelines: 1. Be credible, 2. Be consistent, 3. Be responsive, 4. Be integrated, and 5. Be a civil servant (CO 2008). Clift (2008) notes: "Every country needs a similar policy guide or alternatively as a whole, their government will become irrelevant to most people. Countries with civil servants disconnected online, have disconnected democracies." Our civil services are still steeped in 19th century ethos. They must now become civil services of 21st century. One way to achieve this objective is to encourage e-civil service to use Web 2.0 technologies. /*Principle 4. Recognise New Demands of Citizens on Civil Service*/ Civil service is known for not changing its way of working. History proves this statement. Change when introduced is easily absorbed into the system and the civil service quickly reverts to its old ways of working. All this, however, appears to be changing in the age of e-government. The emergence of e-government since mid-1990s has started placing new demands on civil service. Not only is e-government changing the way e-government works (for example, making it more technology-oriented) and the work it does (for example, adding the online work) but also citizen expectation from civil service. Citizens now want value-added, tailor-made public service delivery online and, what is more important from civil service point of view, hold the civil service, and not its political masters, directly responsible for it. So far civil service has worked protected under the cloak of anonymity. This is no longer possible in the age of e-government which espouses the cause of open and transparent government. These new demands of citizens on civil service, therefore, need to be recognized. /*Principle 5. Treat E-civil Service as an Instrument of Administrative Reforms*/ Administrative reform is an uninspiring term. Its poor reputation comes from its poor record of achievements so far. Kraemer and King (2005:2) are of the view that "information technology has never been an instrument of administrative reform; rather it has been used to reinforce existing administrative and political arrangements." It is difficult to subscribe to this view. If improving internal processes of government is part of administrative reforms, then application of information technology (IT) to government is very much a move for administrative reforms. However, and it is important, application of information technology (IT) to government, by itself, is not e-government. What makes it e-government is the involvement of citizens in decision-making processes of government, a dimension altogether missing in earlier phases of application of information technology (IT) to government. Since e-civil service, an altogether new development, is the backbone of e-government, it has to be treated as an instrument of administrative reforms. /*Principle 6. Set Up an Exclusive Portal for E-civil Service*/E-civil service now requires an exclusive portal for itself, catering to the needs of civil servants in the era of e-government. Such a portal will keep the civil servants fully updated about the latest rules and regulations, up to date civil list, sanction of leave, physical fitness exercise programmes and guidance, settlement of traveling allowance (T.A.), medical and miscellaneous claims, career advancement opportunities like mid-service training programmes, availability of online inter-active training programmes and online technical support for computer maintenance and use, annual performance appraisal, job opportunities and career counseling. It should provide RSS feed so that civil servants can keep themselves up to date with any development. Likewise it should have a discussion group or blog and a wiki so that civil servants could participate in them. This will be a closed portal accessible only to serving civil servants and managed by an officer of sufficient seniority. It will thus be a comprehensive one-stop service to civil servants. Some governments have set up such sub-portals but they do not provide comprehensive services. /*Principle 7. Introduce E-recruitment to Civil Service*/ A Government Guide to Best Practice defines e-recruitment, also known as online recruitment, as "the use of Internet and intranet technology to recruit including candidate attraction, employer branding, candidate tracking, candidate selection, and hiring." (CO 2007:65).The components of e-recruitment are: (i) attracting candidates online to your website or your organization, (ii) communicating your employer brand and recruitment proposition online, (iii) tracking, communicating with and selecting candidates online, (iv) testing candidates online, and (v) on-boarding (otherwise known as welcoming and induction) candidates online (ibid.:7). Many developed countries have set up recruitment gatways. In United Kingdom, for example, the Cabinet Office has set up a Civil Service Recruitment Gateway at http://www.careers.civil-service.gov.uk/Index.asp?txtNavID=322&635132= <http://www.careers.civil-service.gov.uk/Index.asp?txtNavID=322&635132=>. Likewise Singapore Government has set up a recruitment portal at https://app.vog.gov.sg/Presentation/index.aspx which it calls VOG (lateral image of GOV). Other countries should follow suit. /*Principle 8. Deal with Disciplinary Cases Online*/One of the sore points with civil servants is the inordinate delay which the disciplinary proceedings against them take in completion. Such disciplinary proceedings call for penalties ranging from mere warning to dismissal or removal from service and are typically launched while the civil servant is in employment. These come in the way in his promotion as and when such an opportunity occurs. The procedure involved in dealing with disciplinary cases against the civil servants is quite complicated and time-consuming. It is a case of e-government that such cases can be expedited if dealt with online. In such a case the cause list can be posted online, so also the documents upon which the department proposes to rely to prove its case. The documents are required to be supplied to the concerned civil servant under rules. The final order too can be posted online. In case the facility of video-conferencing is available, hearings in the case as well as recording of evidence can be done online. /*Principle 9. Sort Out Ethical Issues of E-civil Service*/ A number of ethical issues have started emerging as a result of civil servants surfing the Internet while in office and otherwise also. First is the maintenance of blog. Can a civil servant have a blog of his own covering a subject dealt with by him? Second, can a civil servant actively participate in discussion groups, communities of practice (COPs) and social networking sites and defend or clarify his department's position? Among these concerns, use of email at workplace has gained attention as it is most widely used tool in e-government. Oregon State Archives and Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders have issued a very comprehensive E-mail Policy Manual for Local Government (OSA n.d.) which has a template also. In India, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has issued comprehensive guidelines on use of email with due emphasis on e-mail as an official record (DARPG n.d.). But not many civil servants are either aware of these instructions or have only vague idea about them. The emerging ethical concerns need to be sorted out. /*Principle 10. Train E-civil Service in Government 2.0*/ Training is time-tested method for upgrading knowledge and skills of civil servants. It is generally quite a challenging task when the trainees are in-service civil servants but it is more challenging in case of e-government as it involves concurrent training in technology also. Schelin (2004, Table 5:272) suggests a training curriculum based on six modules in which Digital Civic Engagement is the sixth model. Whichever training module is selected, it is necessary that the civil servants are systematically trained in Government 2.0, whose essence is inter-activity which has been possible only by e-government tools, as against out-of-date Government 1.0, which is based on one-way communication from government to citizens. Training in Government 2.0 will include understanding the new role of civil servants, appreciation of emergence of e-citizen and e-citizenship, understanding of e-concepts associated with e-democracy, knowledge of e-engagement and e-participation tools and, finally, involvement of e-citizens in public policy formulation actively supported by e-civil service. /*V Concluding Remarks*/ Weberian bureaucracy characterized by objectivity, administration by rules, and anonymity is a remarkable improvement over earlier form of civil service characterized by subjectivity and administration by whims and fancies. The practice of Weberian bureaucracy, however, revealed a number of weaknesses as a result of which a number of measures of administrative reforms were undertaken in many countries prominent among which is the re-inventing government movement or new public management which requires running of government as a private sector corporation. This too had a very limited success as the two- government and private sector corporation- are based on fundamentally different premises, namely, the former is based on service-orientation and the latter on profit-orientation. E-government is the latest measure in administrative reforms which makes a powerful assault on the weaknesses of existing governments, particularly in their relation with their citizens. However, the realization of full potential of e-government is still eluding us. This can be achieved only if the emergence of e-civil service is formally recognized and it is supported to enable it discharge its new role. Ten guiding principles for e-civil service developed here can help us in this regard. References Chun, Andy Hon Wai (2007): Using AI for e-Government Automatic Assessment of Immigration Application Forms, http://www.cs.cityu.edu.hk/~hwchun/research/PDF/iaai_2007.pdf <http://www.cs.cityu.edu.hk/%7Ehwchun/research/PDF/iaai_2007.pdf> (accessed : November 25, 2008). Clift, Steven (2008): UK Government Advises Civil Servants How to Participate Online, DoWire.org, June 21, http://www.dowire.org/notes/?p=417 (accessed: November 25, 2008). CO (Cabinet Office) (2007): E-recruitment projects in the public sector: A Government Guide to Best Practice, Second Edition,Written By WCN Plc on behalf of HM Government, http://www.careers.civil-service.gov.uk/userfiles/DTI/e-recruitment%20guide… <http://www.careers.civil-service.gov.uk/userfiles/DTI/e-recruitment%20guide…> (accessed: November 29, 2008) CO (Cabinet Office) (2008): Principles for participation online, London, United Kingdom, the Author http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/iam/codes/social_media/participation.asp (accessed: November 25, 2008). DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances) (n.d.): E-mail Management Guidelines, http://darpg.nic.in/arpg-website/eReference/e-mail-mgmt.doc (accessed: November 29, 2008) Fountain, Jane E. (2007): Bureaucratic Reform and E-Government in the United States: An Institutional Perspective, Amherst, University of Massachusetts, National Center for Digital Government, Center for Public Policy and Administration, Department of Political Science, NCDG Working Paper No. 07-006, September 18, http://www.umass.edu/digitalcenter/research/working_papers/07_006FountainBu… (accessed: November 26, 2008). Kraemer, Kenneth and L. John Leslie King (2005): Information technology and administrative reform: will e-government be different? August, http://www.si.umich.edu/~jlking/IJEGR-Final.pdf <http://www.si.umich.edu/%7Ejlking/IJEGR-Final.pdf> (accessed: November 28, 2008) Moor, James H. (1985): What is Computer Ethics? in Bynum, Terrell Ward (ed.) (1985), Computers & Ethics, Blackwell, pp.266 – 75, http://www.southernct.edu/organizations/rccs/resources/teaching/teaching_mo… (accessed: November 24, 2008). OSA (Oregon State Archives) and Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders (n.d.): E-mail Policy Manual for Local Government, http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/recmgmt/train/erm/email/emailman806.pdf (accessed: November 29, 2008) Schelin, Shannon Howle (2004): Training for Digital Government, in Pavlichev, Alexei and G.David Garson (eds.) (2004): Digital Government: Principles and Best Practices, Hershey, PA, Idea Publishing, Chapter XVII, pp 263-275. WB (World Bank) (2005): Staff incentives and project implementation: lessons from e-government, PREM notes: Public Sector, October, Number 101, http://www1.worldbank.org/prem/PREMNotes/premnote101.pdf (accessed: November 26, 2008). _______________________________________________ AfrICANN mailing list AfrICANN(a)afrinic.net https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo.cgi/africann

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W3C Call for Participation: Africa Perspective on the Role of Mobile Technologies in Fostering Social and Economic Development April 1-2 2009, Maputo, Mozambique
by alice 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

(Apologies for cross posting) http://www.w3.org/2008/10/MW4D_WS/ The W3C Workshop on the "Africa Perspective on the Role of Mobile Technologies in Fostering Social Development" aims to understand specific challenges of using mobile phones and Web technologies to deliver services to underprivileged populations of Developing Countries, and to capture the specificities of the African context. There are today more than half of the population living with less than 3$ a day, and lacking all kind of services (health, education, government...). The incredible growth of the mobile penetration rate last few years is providing a new hope. The potential of simple ICT services on mobiles to improve people's income has indeed been largely demonstrated. The aim of this workshop is to explore how to leverage these success stories and create an enabling environment that would drive the appearance of numerous services all over the Developing World. People and organizations who have an interest in the role of mobile phones and the Web in social and economic development and who wish to participate in the workshop are invited to submit statements of interest / abstracts / position papers to the Workshop Committee (by email to: team-m4d-ws-submit(a)w3.org) This is a Workshop of the W3C Mobile Web Initiative (MWI), which aims to identify and resolve challenges and issues of accessing the Web when on the move. This Workshop is part of the the Digital World Forum project (European Union's 7th Research Framework Programme - FP7) which explore how to take advantage of the new paradigm of low-cost technologies in broadband infrastructure and devices to bridge the digital divide and connect the unconnected. W3C thanks Workshop host, the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of Mozambique. Sponsorship: You are cordially invited to sponsor this workshop. Following in the model of the successful sponsorship program developed for the 2006 Mobile Web in Developing Countries Workshop, and the 2008 Workshop on the Role of Mobile Technologies in fostering Social Development, we expect you will want to consider participating in the program for this important meeting. This sponsorship program is a marketing opportunity that enable sponsors to showcase their organization and underscore its commitment to the shared goals of the W3C. Sponsors reach those who are making decisions about the future of the Web, as well as those in the public who have come to rely on the Web as critical infrastructure for development and to help bridging the Digital Divide. Sponsors will be associated directly with the event which will gather at the same place experts in mobile Web technologies, and experts in the Digital Divide in order to use the Web and mobile phones to leverage development in rural areas of developing countries. There are three levels of sponsorship, Platinum-Gold-Silver, offering a panel of benefits. All the details of each level are available from the Sponsorship Program page. This sponsorship program is designed to enable participation by individuals and organizations with particular expertise, but who might not otherwise be able to attend due to travel or other costs. For further information and expression of interest, please contact Stéphane Boyera (boyera(a)w3.org) or Marie-Claire Forgue (mcf(a)w3.org) The deadline for requesting to take part in this opportunity is March 15, 2009. Background ------------------------------ Since its creation in 1989 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the Web has grown from one user to more than 1.5 billion of users in 2008, creating services, providing information, connecting people, creating new jobs and completely new sectors of activities. Despite this incredible success in a such a short timeframe, there are still today more than 4.5 billion people that are not benefiting from this Information Society. However, the Web, and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in general, has been recognized as a great tool to potentially resolve the historical divides between developed and developing economies by providing an infrastructure to deploy minimal services (Health, Education, Business, Government...) to rural communities and under-privileged populations. That is why many actions have been engaged in the last twenty years towards bridging the so-called Digital Divide. Unfortunately, these actions - often focussing on telecenters - have had little success so far. This model has encountered many difficulties due to the local conditions (lack of electricity, lack of maintenance skills….) and very few have reach long-term sustainability and continued operation. Since 2-3 years a new hope is coming with the very high penetration rate of mobile telephony in developing countries. Now a minimal infrastructure (GSM networks) and minimal computing power (mobile phones) are available in the pockets (or at least in their very close environment) of billions of people, including the poorest segment of the population. Most developing countries who missed the telephony revolution due to lack of infrastructure and required investments have participated in the mobile revolution directly. Can this be repeated for the Web? Four years ago, the W3C with the mobile industry have launched the Mobile Web Initiative to make mobile phone users first class Web citizen, and the number of people accessing the Web from mobile phones is growing very quickly. Would it be possible that, like for telephony, most Developing Countries will skip the PC-Web revolution and jump directly on the next phase, the Mobile Web? In May 2008, W3C has launched the Mobile Web for Social Development Interest Group to explore this direction, and understand the type of actions that could support and leverage this transition. This is the theme of this workshop. For under-privileged people to benefit the Web, they need to be able to access it, and find accessible, usable and useful information and services that would help them, and that is worth the resource they put to learn and connect. Therefore, it is critical to explore the two aspects of access and content, as well as the education needs. Regarding access, it is critical to understand the key challenges and barriers that targeted end-users (underpriviledged populations of Developing Countries) have to access and use mobile services. This includes affordability, usability, illiteracy, accessibility and internationalization/localization issues. Regarding content, the key question is creating an enabling environment for the creation of information and services that people need and that would improve their lives. In the last 2 or 3 years, we witnessed the appearance of success stories of that demonstrated how relatively simple services on mobile could be really helpful. However, the number of these success stories is still low, and they are all based on a limited technology, SMS. This workshop is aiming at identifying the issues, barriers, needs and challenges the potential providers of development-oriented services, mostly NGO/grass-root organizations and governments/public sector have to develop and deploy those services, and to exploit the potential of the mobile platform. Regarding education, it is essential to understand what are the needs of the different actors (NGO/grass-root organizations, IT sector, potential entrepreneurs,...), and what kind of education material could help disseminating the expertise and enabling people about developing services and content on mobile phones. As an input to this workshop, the W3C team has written a public white paper that summarizes some of these issues. The W3C Mobile Web for Social Development Group is also developing a set of documents which should serve as input to potential participants. Scope The goal of the workshop is to provide input and feedback to the W3C Mobile Web Initiative, and its Mobile Web for Social Development Interest Group. The following topics are of particular interest: * Analysis of use-cases / real-world projects on o use of mobile phones in development projects, o use of the Web in development projects, o deployment of public services using mobile devices in developing countries. * Strengths and weaknesses of SMS technology vs mobile Web vs voice technology * Regional differences in Asia/Africa/Central Europe/Middle East/South America/etc. * Challenges of integrating ICTs in rural communities * Usability and Human-Computer Interfaces (HCI) challenges of mobile browser and mobile content for population without technological background and prior computer experience * Challenges and potential solutions against illiteracy * Usage of mobile technologies in emergency responses in rural areas * Analysis on the way the mobile phones and/or the Web could improve people's lives in Developing Countries (education, healthcare, etc.) * Role of voice and multimodal technologies/applications * Challenges of developing and deploying numerous ICT services to rural communities * Comparison between different potential platforms to support ICT's deployment (mobile phones, low-cost laptop, telecenters, and so on) * Opportunity and challenges of ICTs in social/human development * Challenges of sustainability, scalability and replicability * Challenges and opportunity of integrating mobile phones in specific domains: eGovernment projects (mGovernment), e-health projects, disaster management,.... Who should attend ? W3C encourages W3C Members and public to participate in the Workshop. Workshop organizers expects that this workshop should be of particular interest to people with following backgrounds: * Charitable Foundations funding and/or managing Development projects using ICTs * Companies or Organizations providing ICT-related products, services, content, applications or infrastructure in Developing Countries. * People with grassroots experience on the use of ICT in Development * People from the ICT for Development (ICT4D) domain * People with a mobile background * People with an eGovernment background * Web experts * Accessibility experts * Digital Divide experts * People expert in mobile HCI in Developing Countries * People expert in the use of mobile phones in Development Workshop Dates The workshop will take place on April 1-2 2009. Venue The exact venue is still under consideration. Details will be soon available. Languages Statements of Interest, abstracts, position papers and presentation slides must be in English. The workshop will have a real-time simultaneous translation in Portuguese, English and French. Therefore, speakers and presenters can use any of these three languages. Participation To ensure productive discussions, the workshop is limited to 100 attendees. Participation is open to non-W3C members. Each organization can provide at most two attendees. Statement of interest are required in order to participate in this workshop (except for W3C team members). Each organization or individual wishing to participate must submit a statement of interest at team-m4d-ws-submit(a)w3.org explaining their interest in the workshop as soon as possible and no later than February 12, 2009. The intent is to make sure that participants have an active interest in the area, and that the workshop will benefit from their presence. The Program Committee will select attendants based on their statement of interests and the number of available seats. Each organization or individual wishing to have a position paper published on the workshop web site and/or wishing to make a presentation during the event must submit an abstract no later than January 12, 2009. The Program Committee will then review these abstracts, select some of them for presentation, and request the full papers from the authors. The decision of the Program Committee will be notified to the authors by January 25, 2009. Send abstract (in valid XHTML/HTML (please use the W3C Markup Validation Service) or PDF or Plain Text - 1 to 2 pages) to: team-m4d-ws-submit(a)w3.org All papers from accepted abstract will be available from the workshop Web site. The workshop Web site will be public, so papers and slides must be suitable for public dissemination. Speaker slides will also be available at the Web site after the workshop. There will not be printed proceedings. To attend, you must register by filling out a registration form. The URI for the registration form will be sent to you after your statement of interest is accepted. There will be no participation fee. Press representatives must contact w3t-pr(a)w3.org and/or Marie-Claire Forgue, W3C Communications (mcf(a)w3.org) Agenda The agenda will be published after the selection of abstracts by the Program Committee. Important Deadlines Please note the following dates: * As soon as possible - Statements of interest * January 12, 2009: Abstract submission * January 25, 2009: Committee Decisions on participations and abtract selection * February 20, 2009: Agenda and registration open * March 15, 2009: Final presentations available and registration closed * April 1-2, 2009: Two Days Workshop in Maputo, Mozambique Contact Enquiries or comments on the workshop can be sent to the public mailing list public-mw4d(a)w3.org.

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Re: [kictanet] 1 million Laptops for who?
by Faima Basly 15 Dec '08

15 Dec '08

Mr Robert, I read the article in the papers yesterday and couldn’t help but echo some of your questions on this mail list that unfortunately have not yet been responded to. Of key interest is the following: Whats the plan for procurement? tender or 'donated'? To me this is a perfect opportunity to set up a partnership for local assembly with any of the big boys - Acer, Dell, HP etc to set up an assembly plant with a 2 year clear handover to Kenyans, part of the deal should have initial 80% local employment with clear skill transfer built in so that in 18 months you have 99% local employment at the plant. Do the math 1,000,000*40,000 kshs ( assumed price) = Lots of money. This is a deal that anyone would salivate for. Will the computers have MS Office or Linux - Again do the math as its likely to be the former. What about capacity building? Planned for or just wish ful thinking? Was there a need analysis carried out to determine that it is indeed Laptops required? So to me procurement of laptops should never be an option. As we already have the madaraka project in place, why not up skill and upscale this to meet this demand for the 1 million laptops. Or is Madaraka over? Secondly , the target group, I think you have it right, whats this about 'rural'? What is rural in Kenya? is it Turkana, Marsabit, Wajir, Nyeri, Malindi, Kibira? We need a clear cut definition and probably a sector by sector prioritization based on Vision 2030 and logically what will reap benefit to the Kenyan economy. Don’t get me wrong we must develop Kenyans consistently with a strong plan not hide behind the Rural Urban divide. I raise some of these concerns because last week I was eavesdropping on a launch at one of our Key hotels in Kenya . A Major computer chip manufacturer was launching their East African offices. They showcased their effort being a certain school in Nairobi having received some special student laptops and the school was showing how learning was improved. All good, but the purpose of the Launch? To make an appeal to the PS MOE to consider 'partnering' with this company to sell 240,000 laptops to the teachers in Kenya( wow I thought what a marketing gimic is this how it’s done?)Will this lead to a pronounce from MOE of some 240,000 Laptops for teachers???? Hook and bait? Anything further than this would be speculation. I agree teachers need laptops (computers maybe), but once again can we plan collectively as a government to work in unison and benefit locals on employment and empowerment? It CAN be done. Which brings me to the reason for this email. Shouldnt there be some kinds of checks and balances in place in our Ministries? Is there a way that 'we' can be involved before some of these utterances are made? We have two PS's of different Ministries each thinking along the same paths both with good ideas, but I worry on the path to execution. Of these 1 million Laptops Ndemo speaks of - what percentage for his fellow teachers? Jua Kali artisans?, Medical students. Is there a master plan being followed? or is it pure chance ? Dr Ndemo,I am sure there is a simple enough response to the queries raised above. I sincerely hope you will take the time to respond, and put my mind and probably others as well? at rest. Ms. Basly. ______________________________________________________________________ Hi Dr. Ndemo,I felt it would not be fair to close the year with one final outburst on your ministries policies.It was good to see that the governement will be giving laptops to youth in the rural area. http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/-/1006/499894/-/jh30hdz/-/index.html Last time I checked 80% of the students in the University are from the "rural areas" would it not make more sense to first equip them with the necessary tools. I recently talked to IT degree students at Nairobi university and was shocked to find that less than 5% have computers dedicated to them and this are not provided by the institution but have been bought privately.It is good to talk of empowering the rural folk but is this the best way, should we not begin at the top and work our way down. This computers would also provide greater mileage if we example they where to be giving to to students in teacher training colleges so that they can take technology to the schools, country wide that they will be posted to after they graduate?Also do not forget the medical students who would be able to provide better medical services if they knew how to use and had access to the internet's resources.Another major issue that is lacking from the story is how the laptops are to be procured, is there any likelihood that they will be assembled locally as if they are we shall be killing to birds with 1 stone. Robert YaweKAY System Technologies LtdPhoenix House, 6th FloorP O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 _______________________________________________kictanet mailing listkictanet@lists.kictanet.or.kehttp://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet _________________________________________________________________ Discover the new Windows Vista http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE

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