Alex, I wish that things were that simple. However, regulation by code raises very serious legal issues as it amounts to "privatisation of law making" but this is a subject of another day! On 8/22/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru@yahoo.com> wrote:
Precisely! Why should the author conclude "It is time for legislators and regulators to step in." It smacks of a call for government net control while instead end users should continue developing their own codes to make the internet to grow.
Q: Which Legislators? Kenya,EA,EU,Congress.. Q: Which Regulators? CCK, OfCOM, FCC..
The internet's success was based on the following reasons: "HISTORY: WE OWE IT ALL TO THE HIPPIES"
1. "Access to computers should be unlimited and total." 2. "All information should be free." 3. "Mistrust authority - promote decentralization." 4. "You can create art and beauty on a computer." 5. "Computers can change your life for the better."
http://members.aye.net/~hippie/hippie/special_.htm
The article to me sounds like building blocks justifying grounds from Mugabe's and the Chinese to censor internet and we all know the favourite entry points (separately below could also be one such)
---- Separately,
http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2587&Itemid=5813 We note "Consumer Bill to boost online transactions" and welcome this government move.
Our Consumers Association was not informed, or involved in the background policy formulation process if and/or when that took place. Further, the Bill is not listed at http://www.kenyalaw.org/Bills/ so I may not have specifics.
Overall, our interpretation is that this Bill's intention is just similar to the Government's NGO Coordination Board that checks for CS registrations, etc. for govt - while the Civil Society have an own "industry" NGO Council that deals with their dear "end-user" (in this case ICT consumers) issues.
KEBS-we have a BIG consumer issue on their "closed" endorsement of Microsoft-sponsored OOXML standard i.e. without open and wide industry consultations.
If Ms Catherine Ngahu, were on this list perhaps she would have clarified apparently because Internet consumer protection stands out on the story.
In principle, ICAK welcomes this bill, wishes later government appointees well and we hope to interact with them at a convenient moment in the future (after the bill is passed.)
Thxs
-- John Kariuki <jnkariuki@gmail.com> wrote:
Alex, For your information,the original Internet was not regulated. However, after commercialization in the early 1990's we see a lot of regulation, not by laws passed by legislators or regulators BUT by the "Codes"made by programmers who determine what you can or cannot do on the Internet.
JN
On 8/21/07, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru@yahoo.com> wrote:
I disagree with Sam Vaknin's arguments "Regulate
Internet!"
"It is time for legislators and regulators to step in. Even a moderate dose of legislation and the willingness not to succumb to either to mob or to business pressures will go a long way towards restoring the Internet to its original purpose:
civilized and lawful - not to mention pleasurable
the the -
exchange of information and opinion over computer networks."
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=34976
But Greek and Latin owe their humbling
esteem to regard, value, and placing the essence of a good debate far above time-tied points of view. Thus, I am happy in Kenya recently I attended a meeting only to find all asked to satisfactorily justify their support of THE OPPOSITE point of view. How clever of them....
"Democracy is hard, perhaps the most complex and difficult of all forms of government. It is filled with tensions and contradictions, and requires
its members labor diligently to make it work. Democracy is not designed for efficiency, but for accountability; a democratic government may not be able to act as quickly as a dictatorship, but once committed to a course of action it can draw upon deep wellsprings of popular support,"
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/democracy/
This is the space all citizens are obliged to aggressively defend and not so quickly entrust it to powerful government leaders submerged in own interests.
Let's debate some more Brian!
--- Brian Longwe <brian@isisweb.nl> wrote:
SMS is not allowed in Ethiopia - let alone media freedom or conducive legislation ..... it is not fair to compare a country with such advanced civil liberties as Kenya with a dictatorial regime.
It is also important to look at the other side of the coin and challenge/question our media as to why they would want to blacken our country's good record and reputation on the international arena. Please be assured that we have enemies who would use any means to make us look bad ..... don't take anything that appears in print as gospel ......
'nuff said,
Brian
On Aug 20, 2007, at 8:55 PM, Alex Gakuru wrote:
Dear Dr. Ndemo,
It is terrible the media called a dog! but
you
very much for easing the weight of responsibility...
Certainly, I would really appreciate if my full confidence were restored considering frighteningly it appears communication is under attack across Africa: The New Struggle for Press Freedom in Africa http://allafrica.com/stories/200708201115.html and stories like "Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe
tyrannical Bills" http://www.eastandard.net/archives/index.php? mnu=details&id=1143973075&catid=4
I trust you understand why I have to stay put regarding the Communication Amendment Bill - concerned because since March 2006, the top five most popular Ethiopian web sites (including CyberEthiopia) and several blogs have been blocked and are inaccessible across Ethiopia. The apparent objective is to prevent the dissemination of information that is critical of the current regime.
See http://www.cyberethiopia.com/net/docs/ internet_repression_in_ethiopia.html
RSF had also reported the censorship along with other media watchdogs and had called on the relevant ministries in Ethiopia, but no reaction so far.
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=17783
I am only afraid that foreign companies may
not trust
their outsourcing to our entrepreneurs if only and just government were remotely perceived "packet sniffing" regime. I have no doubt all of us in Kenya wish nothing came in our way of vision
philosophical that thank pass 2030.
Lord forbid but should Kenya sink, we all go
under and
I want to stay afloat with my head above the water for a long time.
Regards,
Alex
--- bitange@jambo.co.ke wrote:
Dear Alex, There is no crisis or tension in the ICT legislative process. I was pointing out the opportunities that are available to you in ensuring that the piece of legislation you want is passed. As far as I am concerned all of us have representation in parliament and we should utilize that opportunity instead of blaming the Government.
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