Casual regulation: An Ethiopian approach to Internet governance
The leading research literature concerning Internet governance is dominated by either a self-regulatory (Western) framework or formal regulatory (Eastern) framework (Deibert et al., 2012; MacKinnon 2012; Morozov 2011). However, African Internet governance cannot readily be fitted with these approaches, as illustrated by the glaring lack of references to the continent in the concerned literature. Towards this backdrop, the current contribution makes a call for a third approach in the analysis of Internet governance, based on the notion of casual regulation.
Casual regulation in Internet governance is demonstrated by the Ethiopian case, where the authorities apply a variety of informal methods to control online journalism activity, including filtering of websites, intimidation of journalists, legal prosecution, delays in infrastructure development, and state monopoly in telecommunication. The consequence is a lasting grip on the local online sphere, with journalists performing self-censorship to prevent targeted clampdowns. At the same time, however, Ethiopian Internet governance attests to a high degree of pragmatism. Where Eastern societies with China in the lead are known for systematic coercion and control, the Internet sphere in Ethiopia is subject to apparently regulatory contradictions with sudden shifts in the authorities’ strategy. For instance, a critical site may be blocked one day and wide open the next day. Thus, despite induced control measures, the impact of the online media, including diaspora contributions, ought not be underestimated in local journalism.
Casual regulation in Internet governance is demonstrated by the Ethiopian case, where the authorities apply a variety of informal methods to control online journalism activity, including filtering of websites, intimidation of journalists, legal prosecution, delays in infrastructure development, and state monopoly in telecommunication. The consequence is a lasting grip on the local online sphere, with journalists performing self-censorship to prevent targeted clampdowns. At the same time, however, Ethiopian Internet governance attests to a high degree of pragmatism. Where Eastern societies with China in the lead are known for systematic coercion and control, the Internet sphere in Ethiopia is subject to apparently regulatory contradictions with sudden shifts in the authorities’ strategy. For instance, a critical site may be blocked one day and wide open the next day. Thus, despite induced control measures, the impact of the online media, including diaspora contributions, ought not be underestimated in local journalism.
Publisert i Paper presented at the conference 'ICTs, New Media and Social Change in Africa', University of Westminister, UK, 2012
Les artikkelen her