Bloggers from 23 countries approve Foz do Iguaçu LetterThe document defends the struggle for freedom of expression, the struggle against any kind of censure or political persecution from public powers and companies from the sector, for new regulatory frameworks for communications, for universal access to broadband internet and against any attempt of coercion or censure on the internet. The next meeting has already been set for 2012, also in Foz do Iguaçu.
Marcel Gomes
The 1st Bloggers World Meeting, which took place in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) from 27-29 October, confirmed the growing strength of the new media, with its websites, blogs and social networks. It counted with the presence of 468 digital activists, journalists, scholars and students from 23 countries and 17 brazilian states. The event provided a rich exchange of experiences and made it clear that the new media can be an essential instrument for strengthening and perfecting democracy.
As the main points of agreement of the meeting – which sought unity but preserving and valuing diversity – those attending set as priorities:
- the struggle for freedom of expression, which is not to be confused with the freedom publicized by the main media monopolies - these only curb the informative plurality. The human right for communications is today an strategic issue;
- the struggle against any kind of censure or political persecution from public powers and companies from the sector. They condemn the process of making censure a matter for the justice system and are solidary to those affected by it. At present, Wikileaks is an exemplary case of the persecution imposed by the government of the USA and by financial and entrepreneurial corporations.
- the struggle for new regulatory frameworks for communications that give incentive to public and communitarian means of communication; to further diversity and alternative media; to curb monopolies, cross-ownership and the inappropriate use of public concessions; to guarantee the access to a democratic and plural means of communication by society. With these objectives, the national States must have a leading role by setting their public policies to further them.
- The struggle for universal broadband access. The internet is strategic for economic development, to face social problems and for the democratization of information. The state must ensure this right is made universal. The internet cannot be at the mercy of private monopolies.
- The struggle against any attempt of coercion or censure on the intertnet. They are in favor of the neutrality of the net and for incentives for the creation of telecentres and other forms of digital inclusion. For the independent development of information technologies and to give incentives for the creation of free software. Against any form or restriction to access the internet, such as the taxes imposed today by the USA in its financial blockade of Cuba.
With the intention of delving deeper in these issues, and to intensify the exchange of experiences and to strengthen the new social media, the participants have also approved the organization of the 2nd Bloggers World Meeting, due to take place in november 2012, in Foz do Iguaçu. An international commission has been set up to reinforce this movement, to maintain its diversity, and to organize the next meeting.