The Center for Media Research – Nepal (CMR-Nepal) joined nearly 70 organizations from five continents in launching the #KeepitOn campaign to fight internet shutdowns worldwide.
The #KeepitOn campaign aims to bring together voices from across the globe to push back on internet shutdowns at every level, from governments to telcos to tech companies to everyday internet users. It began with the adoption of an international definition of internet shutdowns at RightsCon Silicon Valley.
Among other targets, the campaign will challenge service providers to fight back against government shutdown requests; highlight the use of shutdowns during elections; and build consensus at the U.N. and other intergovernmental organizations that people have a basic right to access information and speak freely online.
“In February 2005, we experienced a complete shutdown of internet as part of the royal coup during which all internet and telecommunications services were shut down for weeks,” Ujjwal Acharya, the CMR-Nepal Executive Director, said. “That was a nightmarish experience for all Nepalis and an example of how government can turn off the switch of internet.”
The CMR-Nepal believes that internet is an important tool to exercise freedom of opinion and expression as well as life saver during disasters, as witnessed in 2015 April earthquake. Thus it believes that every country in the world needs to facilitate its healthy growth and ensure that there is never internet shutdown of any kind and scale.
The full list of organizations is available on the campaign website hosted at Access Now. https://www.accessnow.org/keepiton/