Preventing Internet Shutdowns to Protect Press Freedom and Digital Rights

Internet shutdowns are increasingly used during elections, protests, and political crises, often justified in the name of security or public order. In practice, they have a significant, detrimental effect on human rights, the economy, security and strike at the core of press freedom and the public’s right to access independent information. 

This session was framed by global trends and data on internet shutdowns and their direct impact on journalists, media outlets, and pluralistic information ecosystems. When connectivity is cut, reporters lose access to their sources and their audience, while audiences are in turn cut off from critically-needed information and diverse viewpoints. In these situations independent outlets, particularly smaller and local media, are disproportionately harmed. Shutdowns undermine the free formation of public opinion, narrow democratic debate, and create environments where misinformation can thrive. 

This participatory, solutions-focussed discussion addressed: the policy safeguards governments should adopt to prevent shutdowns; what type of infrastructure design can prevent a loss of connectivity; the importance of transparency and accountability when restrictions are imposed; and the role played by international standards and pressure and how these can be strengthened. Finally, participants considered resilience strategies to protect journalists and sustain media freedom during connectivity disruptions.