Internet shutdowns a huge concern across Africa

[Daniel Puchert]

Between a rock and a hard place — Internet shutdowns in Africa

Internet shutdowns are a huge concern across Africa, with human rights organisations constantly monitoring and protesting against governments that cut off their citizens' ability to communicate.

This year was especially active due to the number of countries that were holding elections.

 

[dontcryforme]

Between a rock and a hard place — Internet shutdowns in Africa

For all the South African government’s faults, one fundamental issue citizens have not had to face since the fall of Apartheid is censorship.

We have had our run-ins with the abuse of surveillance powers. Certain speech can also have legal consequences.

However, the government has never attempted to turn off the Internet or telephone networks to interrupt people’s ability to communicate.

VERY FALSE!

Maybe you are too young to remember this, but the ANC has blocked comms in parliament. Whether they claim unintentional or not, why have a signal disruptor in the first place?

Signal disruptions in Parliament were “unintentional”

Pretoria - The signal disruptions in the National Assembly ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Thursday were “unintentional” and “regrettable”, says State Security Minister David Mahlobo.

www.sanews.gov.za

 

[ToxicBunny]

VERY FALSE!

Maybe you are too young to remember this, but the ANC has blocked comms in parliament. Weather they claim unintentional or not, why have a signal disruptor in the first place?

Signal disruptions in Parliament were “unintentional”

Pretoria - The signal disruptions in the National Assembly ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Thursday were “unintentional” and “regrettable”, says State Security Minister David Mahlobo.

www.sanews.gov.za

Yeah agreed.

Largely due to the scale of internet infrastructure in this country, and the incompetence of the ANC has made it almost impossible for them to do it. Not any altruistic element of the ANC/Government.

 

[dontcryforme]

MBB has become a hotbed of fake news.

 

[Petec]

Welcome to Efrikah

 

[Jan]

Maybe you are too young to remember this, but the ANC has blocked comms in parliament. Whether they claim unintentional or not, why have a signal disruptor in the first place?

I remember it. I even wrote our report about it in 2015.

If this article went into every heinous thing the ANC did that was *not* a national Internet shutdown but still "adjacent", it would be a Ph.D. thesis.

The bottom line is that they've never attempted a national shutdown of the Internet.

Even during the July 2021 riots, which were apparently driven through WhatsApp and Twitter, the networks weren't switched off.

One example where I would entertain an argument that the ANC attempted censorship would be the lockdown regulations that criminalised the spreading of misinformation and disinformation.

That was a slippery slope that was mercifully never enforced.

The FPB has attempted some questionable stuff too, but there has always been pushback against that.

 

[dontcryforme]

I remember it. I even wrote our report about it in 2015.

If this article went into every heinous thing the ANC did that was *not* a national Internet shutdown but still "adjacent", it would be a Ph.D. thesis.

The bottom line is that they've never attempted a national shutdown of the Internet.

Even during the July 2021 riots, which were apparently driven through WhatsApp and Twitter, the networks weren't switched off.

One example where I would entertain an argument that the ANC attempted censorship would be the lockdown regulations that criminalised the spreading of misinformation and disinformation.

That was a slippery slope that was mercifully never enforced.

The FPB has attempted some questionable stuff too, but there has always been pushback against that.

I hear you, but the article doesn’t limit to national shutdowns, in fact the article states:

These ranged from shutting down Internet access entirely to restricting certain services like social media.

Which has me believe that limited restrictions are included. Which is why I thought of the SONA incident. Wasn't a specific service like internet or social media, but a very important event in a very specific area without good cause or reason claiming it was unintentional.

Just because the ANC doesn’t admit to the crimes, does not mean they do not commit it.

If you want to go on that the intention of the article was to show that we have freedom of speech, this is also false. One demographic can sing songs about murder which even the constitutional court idiots say falls under cultural protection (which I actually agree with - only savages will feel murder is their right) yet another demographic is not allowed to speak an opinion against it or even use a comparison to show how silly it is.

If we are honest, this article is to offer support to the current Comms Minister. The purpose if which may be long debated.

 

[dontcryforme]

Also False:

As journalists, we are able to criticise senior government officials without fear of reprisal or censorship. We can call our president “Cupcake” or “Squirrel” and not worry about being silenced — or worse.

Journalist surveillance: Spooks are back in action

Right2Know report shows state surveillance of journalists is on the increase as corruption in government and private sector is uncovered

mg.co.za

 

[dontcryforme]

@Jan If I may help feed the SEO algorithm - which is the main goal of freshly recycled articles which Google love if it has a new date stamp. Write something about car tech, cars seem to be getting some attention these days for some reason

 

[Bliksis]

MBB has become a hotbed of fake news.

But they're trusted in tech. LOL

 

[dontcryforme]

But they're trusted in tech. LOL

Not untrue. Hope to see more tech articles.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Since when is the internet a "human right" ?

 

[Bad Ballie]

Unfortunately the law does not work, the reality on the ground is that in order to get the constitutional court to do it's job you have to pay it, and if you do not have the money forget about your constitutional rights and being heard. The constitutional court should be the guard, not just another paywall between the people and justice.

 

[ProfA]

Unfortunately the law does not work, the reality on the ground is that in order to get the constitutional court to do it's job you have to pay it, and if you do not have the money forget about your constitutional rights and being heard. The constitutional court should be the guard, not just another paywall between the people and justice.

Not just the constitutional court. Any court requires copious amounts of money if you seek any form of "justice".

 

[dontcryforme]

Since when is the internet a "human right" ?

Not in Africa, but in Europe it is classified as a basic human need and consumers actually get compensated for outages.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Not in Africa, but in Europe it is classified as a basic human need and consumers actually get compensated for outages.

basic "human right" ≠ basic "human need".

 

[dontcryforme]

basic "human right" ≠ basic "human need".

You've never read the South African constitution, have you? That Chapter 2 part called Bill of Rights that list basic needs as rights?

 

[TheMightyQuin]

You've never read the South African constitution, have you? That Chapter 2 part called Bill of Rights that list basic needs as rights?

How far are you desperately trying to stretch this concept now?? Access to the internet is NOT a basic human right.

 

[dontcryforme]

How far are you desperately trying to stretch this concept now?? Access to the internet is NOT a basic human right.

Not in your country

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Not in your country

Not anywhere...