[APC Africa-ICT-Policy Monitor] e-Updates No. 2

Thu Nov 25 11:35:29 SAST 2004

Dear all,

Welcome to the APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor e-updates No. 2.

Here you will find a selection of the latest additions on the
Africa ICT Policy Monitor Website chosen by our editors including:

-          News
-          Information
-          Resources
-          Upcoming Events
-          Featured Organizations

To change your subscription (set options like digest and delivery modes,
get a reminder of your password, or to stop receiving APC Africa
Policy Monitor Website e-Updates and Newsletter), visit the mailing list:
<http://lists.sn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/africa-ir-public >
or send an email to
<africa.rights at apc.org>

Also do send us your comments or feedback about the Africa ICT Policy
Monitor Website.

Kind Regards,

Editor
APC Africa Policy Monitor Website

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NEWS

 South Africa: Industry adopts 'wait and see' approach to deregulation 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28583>
24/11/2004 (Rodney Weidemann - ITWeb <http://www.itweb.co.za/>) -- 
Following yesterday's clarification by the regulator regarding the 
minister's deregulation announcements, the industry has expressed 
'cautious optimism' about the fact that the authority has chosen to take 
the more open view on the issue.

 Resonance of broken promises 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28603>
24/11/2004 (By Steven Lang - Highway Africa News Agency 
<http://www.highwayafrica.ru.ac.za/hana/index.asp>) -- Freedom of 
expression and the freedom of journalists to exercise their profession 
rocketed to the top of the agenda at a conference on the role of the 
media in the information society, taking place in Marrakech, Morocco. 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21807e_1>

 WSIS PrepCom2 will be "stormy" 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28607>
23/11/2004 (Ralf Bendrath <mailto:wsis at boell.de> - Heinrich Böll 
Foundation <http://www.worldsummit2005.org/>) -- The UN Information and 
Communication Technology Task Force (UN ICT TF) met in Berlin last week, 
and civil society groups had a number of meetings around this event. The 
conflicts and coalitions in the second phase of the WSIS are becoming 
clearer now. One major dispute is to be expected over financing.

 New Fund for African Community Radio 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28601>
22/11/2004 (Guy Berger - HANA 
<http://www.highwayafrica.ru.ac.za/hana/index.asp>) -- African community 
radio may get a boost from the formation of an international task force 
to investigate setting up an international fund to underwrite resources 
for the sector, a meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco decided today (21 
November, 2004).
  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21807e_1>

 Kenya: Draft policy on information technology is ready 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28439>

21/11/2004 (Dauti Kahura - East African Standard 
<http://www.eastandard.net>) -- A draft information and communication 
technology policy is now ready for discussion by the Cabinet. The draft 
National Information and Communication Policy has been released just in 
time for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) conference 
scheduled for Tunis next year.
  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21843e_1>

 Cost and access are key determinants of VoIP growth in Africa, says CTO 
report <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28378>
19/11/2004 (CTO <http://www.cto.int>) -- A report on the prospects and 
challenges for growth of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephony 
in Africa launched on Monday by the CTO identifies affordability and 
access as critical factors that will determine the future of the 
technology. The report was presented yesterday afternoon in London to 
members of the development community, government representatives and the 
private sector.
  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22175e_1>

 Angola: Media groups recommend opening up the airwaves 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28380>
18/11/2004 (IRIN <http://www.irinnews.org/>) -- After years of political 
instability, transforming Angola's state-run media into public service 
institutions is seen as a fundamental step to entrenching democracy, 
according to a group of international media watchdogs.
  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21810e_1>

 Zimbabwe: Government Toughens Repressive Media Law 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28323>
17/11/2004 (MISA & RSF - IFEX <http://www.ifex.org/>) -- With national 
elections in Zimbabwe slated for March 2005, the embattled 
administration of President Robert Mugabe is making it clear that 
critical media coverage will not be tolerated. Parliament has passed 
amendments to the already repressive Access to Information and 
Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) that lengthen jail terms and increase 
fines for journalists caught working without government accreditation.
  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21820e_1>

 Nigerian Domain name .ng programme on course -says Nigeria Internet 
Group <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_1&x=28276>
16/11/2004 (Chidiebere Nwankwo - Businessday Online 
<http://www.businessdayonline.com/>) -- The trouble surrounding the 
Nigeria top level domain (TLD) name, (.ng,) seems to be gradually 
phasing out and one of the key stakeholders has noted that progress has 
been achieved in finding a permanent solution to the domain 
administrative crisis.
  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21833e_1>

<>
Liberian: Govt Limits Number Of Mobile Operators To Four 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_2&x=28202>
14/11/2004 (Russell Southwood - Balancing Act's News Update 
<http://www.balancingact-africa.com>) -- The Government of Liberia last 
week (12 Nov) declared that the maximum number of GSM Cellphone 
operators in the country shall not exceed four at any point in time. In 
a statement issued by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the 
government said it has established that GSM licenses have been 
over-issued. To date, there are nine operators with contracts and eight 
licenses. Frequencies have been over-allocated and not offered at market 
prices.
  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22175e_1>

 CRIS calls for international mobilisation on the UNESCO Draft 
Convention on Cultural Diversity 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_2&x=28207>
14/11/2004 (CRIS <http://www.crisinfo.org>) -- The Communication Rights 
in the Information Society Campaign, an international network of 
organisations and individuals working to ensure that Communication 
Rights are central to any vision of an information society, is 
mobilising around the forthcoming negotiations on the UNESCO Draft 
Convention on Cultural Diversity.
  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1>

 Ghana: BusyInternet receives World Bank grant for incubator programme 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_2&x=28275>
13/11/2004 (GhanaWeb <http://www.ghanaweb.com>) -- BusyInternet Ghana 
Limited, a private Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 
centre, has received a grant of 100,000 dollars from the World Bank- 
administered Information for Development (InfoDev) Programme to expand 
its ''business incubation portfolio'' in Accra.
  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21827e_1>

 Zambia: Journalists push for access to information 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ne_2&x=28381>
12/11/2004 (IRIN <http://www.irinnews.org>) -- Media workers in Zambia 
have again demanded enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill, more 
than two years after the proposed law was withheld for "wider consultation".

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INFORMATION

 Internet Governance: The battle lines are drawn 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28602>
24/11/2004 -- Who should run the Internet? A key battle in this 
drawn-out war for control of the Internet commenced in Geneva today (23 
November) with a UN team kicked off the first of several sessions 
dealing with Internet governance. Meanwhile, in Marrakech, a taste of 
the issues was raised at a conference on the role of the media in the 
information society. 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21869se_1>

 Creating an Environment for ICT in Tanzania - Policy, Regulation and 
Markets <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28618>
24/11/2004 -- This article is about creating a sound environment for ICT 
in Tanzania. It focuses solely on those factors identified as being key 
enablers for increased ICT utilisation. The case study identifies three 
phases of Tanzanian ICT development - recognition (until 1993), 
orientation (1994-1999), and departure (since 2000) - and analyses basic 
tendencies in policy, regulative and market developments for each of the 
phases.  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1>

 E-Learning in Zambia: A Dream or Reality? 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28559>
16/11/2004 -- Education around the globe is undergoing dramatic changes 
- from "schoolhouse based" models to various forms of "network based" 
education. Today, E-learning has emerged as a form of delivering 
education. However, the greatest challenge with e Learning is whether it 
can produce a fundamental change in an education system. Zambia 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21819e_1> | Training and 
Education <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21878se_1>

 Open Source Observatory 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28396>
19/11/2004 -- The European Commission's Open Source Observatory (OSO) is 
a clearinghouse of information related to free/libre/open source 
software in the public sector, and is intended to promote and spread the 
use of best practices in Europe. 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1>

 Power Up with ICT 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28440>
21/11/2004 -- Power Up with Information Technology is a reader and trove 
of resources on the status of Information and Communication Technology 
in Kenya. The Contents includes challenges, opportunities, experiences 
and best practice with ICT in Education, Agriculture, Co-ops and 
Sacco's, Healthcare, Trade and Government. The book is organised in 4 
parts: policy, infrastructure, human resources, and content. 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21843e_1>

 Legislation on Media, Speech and Expression in Ghana 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28324>
17/11/2004 -- Researching Ghana's laws pertaining to media and freedom 
of expression should now be easier thanks to a new reference guide 
published by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). The IFEX 
member has just launched "Legislation on Media, Speech and Expression in 
Ghana: A Source Book. 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21827e_1> 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21872se_1>

 Internet Governance: A Grand Collaboration 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28305>
16/11/2004 -- The papers contributed to the United Nations Information 
and Communication Technologies Task Force (ICT TF) Global Forum on 
Internet Governance contain a lot of useful information on how many 
different organizations are already governing the Internet and its 
effects on society. At the same time the papers suggest that a number of 
important issues are not being addressed effectively, and that in some 
areas there is an urgent need to put in place new arrangements to 
counter real and present threats to the stability and utility of the 
Internet. <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1>

 The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority ACT, 2003 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28645>
24/11/2004 -- An Act to establish the Tanzania Communications Regulatory 
Authority for the purpose of regulation of telecommunications, 
broadcasting, postal services; to provide for allocation and management 
of radio spectrum, covering electronic technologies and other 
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) applications and to 
provide for its operation in place of former authorities and for related 
matters.  <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1>

 South Africa: ICASA's Interpretation of the Ministerial Determinations 
for the Telecommunications Legislation 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28563>
23/11/2004 -- Independent Communications Authority of South Africa 
(ICASA)'s Interpretation of the Ministerial Determinations for the 
Telecommunications Legislation media release.  
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1>

 Tanzania: Govt seeks views on communications bill 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28641>
25/11/2004 -- The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) 
has appealed to stakeholders and the public in general to read, discuss 
and air their views on the draft of the Electronic and Postal 
Communications Bill, so that the envisaged Act takes into account the 
interests of Tanzanians and the existing policies. 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1>

 ICANN, the ITU and WSIS and Internet Governance 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28395>
19/11/2004 -- This article looks at the concept of "Internet Governance" 
in the context of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and 
the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21873se_1>

 Mobile calls still too costly in Kenya 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28303>
16/11/2004 -- Last week(11th Nov) the Communication Commission of Kenya 
awarded Econet Wireless Kenya its long awaited mobile telephone license. 
This was determined by an auction method. The ambitious telco got the 
licence at a price of $27 million. Safaricom and KenCell (re-named 
Celtel) had to pay more for the same kind of a license. But that was 
then. High license fees paid by the current two operators have delayed 
recouping of investments.  
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21843e_1>

 Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) Policy Document 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28661>
25/11/2004 -- The Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICTDAD) policy 
represents the vision of Ghana in the information age. It is based on 
the policy framework document: "An Integrated ICT led Social-economic 
Development Policy and Plan Development Framework for Ghana". The 
development of this policy framework was based on a nation-wide 
consultative process involveing all key stakeholders in the public 
sector, private sector and civil soceity.  
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21827e_1>

 A Media Policy for Ghana 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28663>
25/11/2004 -- The Policy broadly sketches the main national and global 
influences that have led to the present development of the media in 
Ghana. It discusses the issues and principles that arise from these 
influences and developments.  
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21827e_1>

 Mauritius: National Telecommunications Policy 2004 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28664>
25/11/2004 -- This document outlines the overall policy objectives and 
targets for the telecommunications sector and spells out the strategies 
to be adopted. It also sets out the methodology to ensure fair, 
effective and sustainable competition for the new market paradigm.  
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21814e_1>

 Tanzania National ICT Policy (March 2003) 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28640>
24/11/2004 -- The Tanzania Development Vision 2025 envisages a nation 
imbued with five main attributes: high quality livelihood; peace, 
stability and unity; good governance; a well educated and learning 
society; and a strong and competitive economy capable of producing 
sustainable growth and shared benefits. On the other hand, this Policy 
has articulated ten main focus areas in harnessing ICT in Tanzania which 
include strategic ICT leadership; ICT infrastructure; ICT Industry; 
Human Capital; Legal and Regulatory Framework; Productive Sectors; 
Service Sectors; Public Service; Local Content; and Universal Access.  
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21848e_1>

 Connecting the Next Ten Million People in Nigeria 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28443>
21/11/2004 -- This presentation first provides a quick overview of the 
telecommunications landscape in Nigeria and reports on the journey so 
far. Secondly takes a look at the global ICT landscape highlighting 
where Africa and Nigeria are today. Thirdly shares I the authors views 
on how we can sustain the gains made in the past four years and what 
must be in place to double the teledensity in Nigeria as soon as possible.

<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21833e_1>

 Nigerian Communications Communication Policy & Strategic Thrust - 2005 
and Beyond <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28444>
21/11/2004 -- The Nigerian Communications Communication (NCC) strategic 
thrust for 2004 -2006 is "Attaining Efficiency in the Telecoms Industry" 
. With emphasis being placed on efficiency in telecom service delivery 
and improved quality geared towards delighting the 'Consumers'. The 2005 
sub-theme is Consumer Satisfaction as a pathway to Growth.
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21833e_1>

 Presentation on Internet Analysis Report 2004 - Protocol and Governance 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28204>
14/11/2004 -- As part of the ITU Strategic Planning Unit (SPU) seminar 
series, Ian Peter, Internet Mark 2 Project, gave a presentation to ITU 
staff on Internet Governance entitled Internet Analysis Report 2004 - 
Protocols and Governance .

 The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA): Two 
Years On <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28325>
17/11/2004 -- This report focuses on the first two years of Access to 
Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), describing the 
legislation, critiquing it and providing an overview of the way in which 
it has been implemented and the impact this has had on the free flow of 
information and ideas in Zimbabwe. It also provides an overview of the 
context in which AIPPA operates, including other repressive laws and 
measures, which prevent independent perspectives from being voiced. 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21820e_1> 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=21875se_1>

<> 
 CTO survey sees difficulties for consensus on Internet governance 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ie_1&x=28611>
20/11/2004 -- A preliminary survey by the Commonwealth 
Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) warns of potential difficulties 
within the international community in reaching consensus over the 
governance of the Internet, one of the two fundamental issues, together 
with the funding of the efforts to bridge the Digital Divide, that the 
second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS II) is 
expected to address. 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1>

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RESOURCES

 SADC Media Law Handbook for Media Practitioners 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=re_1&x=28560>
A comparative overview of the media law environment and practice in 
Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa published by the Konrad 
Adenauer Stiftung and the Nelson Mandela Institute, Law School - 
University of the Witwatersrand.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

*23/11/2004*, International 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s22176e_1>
Working Group on Internet Governance, United Nations -Geneva 
<http://www.wgig.org>
The first meeting of the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) 
will be held at the United Nations in Geneva on 23 and 25 November 2004. 
Consultations open to Governments, civil society organizations and 
private sector entities will be held on 24 November. The members of WGIG 
are to be nominated by the United Nations Secretary-General.

*01/12/2004*, South Africa 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1>
ICANN Meeting in Cape Town <http://www.icanncapetown.co.za/>
The third round of ICANN meetings in 2004 will be held 1-5 December 2004 
in Cape Town, South Africa. The meetings are free to attend, and open to 
any interested person. ICANN encourages broad participation in its 
bottom-up consensus-development process. You can take part in these 
meetings by attending in person, by taking part in the webcast and 
remote participation opportunities, and/or by joining one of the various 
ICANN-related mailing lists.

*01/12/2004*, South Africa 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1>
Workshop: Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=ee_1&x=28614>
The IDN Workshop will build upon the achievements of the previous 
workshop held on 21 July 2004 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia. The public is 
invited to provide suggestions for topics and questions that should be 
addressed during the workshop by submitting these to the IDN Discuss Forum.

*06/12/2004*, South Africa 
<http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21817e_1>
Africa Electronic Privacy and Public Voice Symposium 
<http://www.thepublicvoice.org/events/capetown04/default.html>
The Africa Electronic Privacy and Public Voice Symposium will be held in 
Cape Town, South Africa at the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island, 
on December 6, 2004 in conjunction with the ICANN meeting.

*07/12/2004*, Kenya <http://africa.rights.apc.org/index.shtml?apc=s21843e_1>
New Communication Technologies Forum in Kenya 
<http://www.aitecafrica.com/events/2004/VOIP-Forum/register.ph>
In response to recent market developments, AITEC is holding a New 
Communications Technology Forum in Kenya over 7-9 December, focusing on 
GPRS and VoIP.

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FEATURED ORGANIZATIONS

*
eThink Tank <http://www.ethinktanktz.org>*
A group of Tanzanians from various walks of life who have been concerned 
for some time at the lack of coordination on information communication 
technologies (ICT) as they impact Tanzania and its development. A number 
of key drivers prompted our group to constitute ourselves as an informal 
association, which we agreed to call the eThink Tank. Some of our 
founder members kindly offered to host and facilitate the eThink Tank's 
early discussion sessions, inviting potential partners in the public and 
private sectors to engage in dialogue on a weekly basis.

*e-Brain Forum <http://www.ebrain.org.zm>*
The e-Brain Forum is a non-profit organization that is working to 
promote the use and application of ICTs for Socio economic development.

*The Power Up Campaign <http://www.powerup.co.ke>*
The Power Up! campaign is a educative multi-media programme to grow ICT 
champions around the county who can support people locally in entering 
the 'Information Society'. The campaign will demystify ICT and help 
people recognise effective usage. The programme includes a number of 
public events, a book with literature that brings you up to speed with ICT.

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ABOUT APC

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international
network of civil society organisations dedicated to empowering and
supporting groups and individuals through the strategic use of
information and communication technologies, especially internet-related
technologies. APC and its members in more than 30 countries pioneer
practical and relevant uses of ICTs for civil society. APC is an
international facilitator of civil society's engagement with ICTs and
related concerns, in both policy and practice.
APC: http://www.apc.org.

APC and ICT Policy Advocacy in Africa

APC's Communications and Information Policy Programme aims to contribute
to more enabling ICT policy environments through promoting inclusive
policy processes. In Africa APC is doing this through the Africa ICT
Policy Monitor project which aims to enable civil society organisations
to engage in ICT policy development to promote an information society
based on social justice and human rights.

APC's Africa ICT Policy Monitor: http://africa.rights.apc.org

The APC Africa ICT Policy Monitor is supported by HIVOS and the
International Research Development Centre (IDRC).

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-- 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna
Africa Policy Monitor Project 
Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
Email: africa.rights at apc.org
Web: http://africa.rights.apc.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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