Global Information Society Watch 2011

In the year of the arab uprisings Global Information Society Watch 2011 investigates how governments and internet and mobile phone companies are trying to restrict freedom online – and how citizens are responding to this using the very same technologies.In the year of the arab uprisings Global Information Society Watch 2011 investigates how governments and internet and mobile phone companies are trying to restrict freedom online – and how citizens are responding to this using the very same technologies.Everyone is familiar with the stories of Egypt and Tunisia. GISWatch authors tell these and other lesser-known stories from more than 60 countries. stories about:Prison conditions in Argentina: Prisoners are using the internet to protest living conditions and demand respect for their rights.Torture in Indonesia: The torture of two West Papuan farmers was recorded on a mobile phone and leaked to the internet. the video spread to well-known human rights sites sparking public outrage and a formal investigation by the authorities.The tsunami in Japan: Citizens used social media to share actionable information during the devastating tsunami, and in the aftermath online discussions contradicted misleading reports coming from state authorities.GISWatch also includes thematic reports and an introduction from Frank La Rue, UN special rapporteur.GISWatch 2011 is the fifth in a series of yearly reports that critically cover the state of the information society from the perspectives of civil society organisations across the world.GISWatch is a joint initiative of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and the Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (Hivos).