Read the latest from the Web Foundation

News and Blogs

Is access to the Internet a human right? Web Foundation participates in new Guardian podcast series

Web Foundation · August 17, 2016

“It’s time to recognise the Internet as a basic human right. That means guaranteeing affordable access for all, ensuring Internet packets are delivered without commercial or political discrimination, and protecting the privacy and freedom of Web users regardless of where they live.”

These were the words of our Founder and the inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners Lee in 2014. This call was bolstered this summer with a landmark resolution from the UN Human Rights Council calling for ‘the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet’.

Against this backdrop, the Guardian’s Chips with Everything Podcast is running a four-part series. Entitled – ‘Internet access is now a human right’ the series explores the importance of the Internet and the opportunities and threats facing the Web.

The Web Foundation’s CEO Anne Jellema, and our Africa Regional Coordinator, Nnenna Nwakanma, have both been called upon to contribute their views. You can listen to the full series on the Guardian website (via streaming or download) – Anne is featured in Episode Three, while Nnenna appears in Episode Four.

We encourage you to listen to the podcasts, and if you’re inspired by what you hear, take action to protect the Web.  As Anne concludes on the podcast:

“The Web was built by millions of ordinary users. Now these same Internet users need to stand up and make sure that this amazing platform for creativity, expression and empowerment remains open and free. There’s no guarantee it will remain that way otherwise.”

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/277655822″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/278815201″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Your comment has been sent successfully.