Asia

Internet user growth is slowing and varied attempts to address the problem of access – through traditional telecom models, private sector initiatives, state-led measures, philanthropy – have met with limited success. We must rethink how networks are built, owned, operated and utilised, and empowering local communities is key to this.

Welcome to the 49th monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks and community-based initiatives. In this edition, find out more about women's engagement in community networks in Africa and much more.

Discover what the story of 28-year-old Shibani tells us about the women weaving connections and finding self-expression through community radio stations in India.

This joint civil society submission focuses particularly on digital rights including freedom of expression, the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs), including women human rights defenders, violence against women and misinformation.

APC and other members of the Hold the Line Coalition condemn the Philippine Court of Appeals decision to uphold the conviction of Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher Rey Santos Jr. on trumped-up charges of cyber libel.

In this submission, APC and other civil society groups call on the Indian Ministry of Electronics and IT to withdraw the amendments recently proposed to the country's IT Rules and to commence a process of consultation on the proposed amendments.

When the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the whole world, the experience of communities in the rural and remote Ciracap sub-district in West Java, Indonesia, showed the importance and power of building a local response to the crisis. Welcome to the 48th monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks and community-based initiatives.

APC and other members of the Hold the Line Coalition condemn the shutdown order against Maria Ressa's Rappler media group, approved by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission this week.