IGF 2014

Revelations about surveillance and mass data collection over the past year have underscored the fact that the practice of journalism, and the circulation of information more broadly, is inseparable from key dimensions of Internet governance, from the infrastructure backbone to transmission dynamics to encryption. The past year’s headlines have made it clear that both policy changes and technological efforts are necessary to address the protection of communication and information exchange amid aggressive government surveillance and private sector complicity and ensure that all actors respect the rule of law, privacy and free expression.
As “canaries in the data mine,” journalists represent one of the most vulnerable — and engaged — groups of Internet users. What happens to journalists and journalism will likely foreshadow other, broader developments. Yet to what extent do different stakeholder groups understand the critical importance that their input to Internet governance plays in sustaining an environment in which press freedom and freedom of expression more broadly is possible?

The non-governmental organization Committee to Protect Journalists proposes a roundtable workshop to explore various stakeholders’ role in resisting mass surveillance, particularly of journalists and media, and how Internet governance choices may impact on press freedom. The interactive roundtable will seek to produce an initial list of ideas about the roles of technology companies, government, academia, journalists and news organizations in protecting source confidentiality and otherwise ensuring the free flow of information from the press to the global public.

The roundtable will help inform internal policy choices at companies, in government, in newsrooms and in the field, and will seek to foster a discussion that is relevant to all at-risk Internet users.

Agenda:
Introduction to the roundtable and the questions at hand (Dr. Radsch, 5 minutes)
5 minute overview of UNESCO's conceptualization of the press freedom dimensions of Internet governance (Dr. Berger)
2 minute comments from participants on what they think are the two most important or consequential press freedom dimensions of Internet governance:
Ms. Ben Hassine
Mr. Less
Dr. Lemos
Ms. Geybulla

Input from remote participants

Synthesize commonalities, identify tensions

Open to audience (including remote participants) for additional dimensions and Q&A

Answer questions and discuss the additional suggestions with a view towards identifying the most important/consequential press freedom dimensions of Internet governance