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Summary: ARTICLE 19 calls on government to oppose any proposals to restrict the use of social media as they constitute an violation of people's freedom of speech, going against both national and international law.
[LONDON, 18 August 2011] - UK Prime Minister David Cameron - in consultation with the police, the intelligence services and industry - is considering introducing new measures to curtail the use of social media, in the wake of the recent UK riots. The government and police are blaming digital tools including Twitter, Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger, for enabling rioters to coordinate disorder and criminality. ARTICLE 19 calls on government to oppose any such proposals as they constitute an infringement to freedom of speech, going against both national and international law. “The world is watching the UK’s reaction the riots very closely and these statements are setting a dangerous precedent. Any restrictions placed on social media and the internet constitute a major violation of national and international law. It is comparable to turning off the entire phone system, temporarily suspending a major national newspaper, or banning the BBC from broadcasting,” said Dr Agnes Callamard, ARTICLE 19 Executive Director. The UK government’s demands for greater internet restrictions and more surveillance were quickly seized by internet censors globally to justify internet censorship in their own countries. In China, where Twitter and Facebook are banned, the government's official news agency People's Daily Online reacted with glee to Cameron’s proposal. Under UK law, the majority of online content is fully protected from being censored. For the UK Government to even consider restricting the internet or to ban fully legal services such as BBM, used by millions, is extremely worrying. When former Egyptian President Mubarak shut off all access to the Web, the British government joined rights groups - including ARTICLE 19 - in its universal condemnation and call for greater internet freedom during the so-called “Arab Spring.” Now, Prime Minister Cameron is considering the possibility of restricting access to the same digital tools he once hailed as vital to free speech. “Politicians in the UK and beyond must recognise that they cannot have a pick and choose approach to internet freedom and people’s access to digital tools,” continued Dr Callamard. Modern telecommunication networks and social media now play an integral part of every aspect of day-to-day life. The BlackBerry and Blackberry Messenger, for example, are the tool of choice for much of London’s financial community. In addition, social media systems played an important role in informing people affected by the riots in detail about what was happening in real time, and in the aftermath, these digital tools were successfully used to mobilise communities to take part in street cleanups. The internet and social media are no longer simply marginal technical tools. They play a crucial role in the nation's economic and social life and now equal traditional news outlets when it comes to making information available to the public – especially during disasters and times of social upheaval. Posturing by politicians about shutting down social media, or even restricting individuals from having access to these tools, is not the solution to managing social unrest. Further Information: