Internet Companies Hope to Promote Global Press Freedom

Press Release - January 23, 2007

Several of the world’s leading internet and technology companies, including Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, and Vodafone, are holding talks with human rights groups to establish a global code of conduct protecting the privacy and free speech rights of webmasters.

A statement released by the parties last Friday indicates that they hope to reach a final agreement by the end of this year, and will work together to counter trends like increased censorship and the jailing of online journalists.

“Technology companies have played a vital role building the economy and providing tools important for democratic reform in developing countries,” commented Leslie Harris of the Center for Democracy and Technology. “But some governments have found ways to turn technology against their citizens — monitoring legitimate online activities and censoring democratic material.”

The group is aiming to promote solidarity among the big technology companies in protecting webmasters and journalists from dictatorships and authoritarian regimes, and promoting freedom of the press around the world.