Thursday, 26 May 2011
France's Finance Minister Christine Lagarde (2nd L) and leading Internet players attend the eG8 forum in Paris. (File photo)
The eG8 Forum was held this week in Paris, ahead of the G8 Summit in the French town of Deauville, where heads of state and government from top industrial countries now gather to review political, economic and development support plans for the recent “Arab Revolutions” in a couple of Middle-Eastern turned-democratic countries.
The convening of the eG8 Forum at such a high level of seniority and importance, in the presence of senior government officials and top business decision-makers, clearly signals the great significance of the “Digital Age” in the running of state affairs and in fostering economic, business and trade activities around the world; it also shows the interactive, engaging and captivating impact of “New Media” on anyone, anytime, anywhere.
The convening of the eG8 Forum at such a high level of seniority and importance, in the presence of senior government officials and top business decision-makers, clearly signals the great significance of the “Digital Age” in the running of state affairs and in fostering economic, business and trade activities around the world; it also shows the interactive, engaging and captivating impact of “New Media” on anyone, anytime, anywhere.
In fact, the converged digital content, richly available on multi-platforms and smart devices, 24/7 and 365, has become more than just a source of information, news and entertainment; it’s actually becoming a source of inspiration, dreams and hopes (especially for youth); a privileged platform for freedom of speech, self-expression and change; an empowerment tool for hundreds of millions of browsers who access the virtual world on daily basis and enjoy its limitless, borderless, timeless aspects, thanks to the flourishing information and communication technology (“ICT”) revolution which remains independent, without leaders, flags, arms, slogans or geography!
It’s true that the “Digital Age” provides fertile terrain for communication and engagement; a vast platform for the freedom of publishing and speedy access to information; an opportunity for social networking and cultural exchange; an incentive for creativity and entrepreneurship; a driving force behind business and free flow of capitals; and an engine for all types of meaningful exchanges, be they scientific, medical, technological, academic or else.
Yet, the “Digital Age” comes with real challenges of diverse nature and in key areas, such as: politics, security, intelligence, economy, trade, development, judicial, legal and education.
Consequently, it’s becoming imperative for states, governments, private sector entities, NGOs, civil Society bodies and individuals to tackle these challenges, timely and efficiently, for the best of “common good.” On top of these “technological” and “digital” challenges comes the ability (or rather inability!) to preserve the national identity; protect security, intelligence and military classified info; strengthen counter-terrorism operations; fight organized crime; curb piracy and hacking; trace and stop human trafficking and pedophilia on the Internet; keep teen-agers away from unethical e-content and malpractices; push by both Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”) and Telecom operators to protect their consumers’ databases; and last but not least, enforce intellectual property rights (“IPR”).
Henceforth, it’s becoming increasingly important to instill a greater sense of “responsibility” in our daily digital and online practices, especially when it comes to having a facilitating regulatory, legal and judicial framework in place.
Having said that, this can only apply to democracies where the rule of law reigns, where the separation of powers functions properly, where the judicial rules, and where people in power and chief executives are constantly held to account.
Yet, the same concept of “responsibility” is immediately taken out of context and becomes inapplicable, in those authoritarian regimes (still living in denial!), where “responsibility” is deliberately and commonly taken for oppression, censorship, tapping, limiting and/or blocking of (ADSL and) Internet services – which are all considered as serious violations of basic “Human Rights” – thus subject one day to “international digital sanctions” by the international community.
(Mazen Hayek of Al Arabiya can be reached at: mazen.hayek@mbc.net, and at Twitter: hayekmg@gmail.com (twitter: @HayekMG)
It’s true that the “Digital Age” provides fertile terrain for communication and engagement; a vast platform for the freedom of publishing and speedy access to information; an opportunity for social networking and cultural exchange; an incentive for creativity and entrepreneurship; a driving force behind business and free flow of capitals; and an engine for all types of meaningful exchanges, be they scientific, medical, technological, academic or else.
Yet, the “Digital Age” comes with real challenges of diverse nature and in key areas, such as: politics, security, intelligence, economy, trade, development, judicial, legal and education.
Consequently, it’s becoming imperative for states, governments, private sector entities, NGOs, civil Society bodies and individuals to tackle these challenges, timely and efficiently, for the best of “common good.” On top of these “technological” and “digital” challenges comes the ability (or rather inability!) to preserve the national identity; protect security, intelligence and military classified info; strengthen counter-terrorism operations; fight organized crime; curb piracy and hacking; trace and stop human trafficking and pedophilia on the Internet; keep teen-agers away from unethical e-content and malpractices; push by both Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”) and Telecom operators to protect their consumers’ databases; and last but not least, enforce intellectual property rights (“IPR”).
Henceforth, it’s becoming increasingly important to instill a greater sense of “responsibility” in our daily digital and online practices, especially when it comes to having a facilitating regulatory, legal and judicial framework in place.
Having said that, this can only apply to democracies where the rule of law reigns, where the separation of powers functions properly, where the judicial rules, and where people in power and chief executives are constantly held to account.
Yet, the same concept of “responsibility” is immediately taken out of context and becomes inapplicable, in those authoritarian regimes (still living in denial!), where “responsibility” is deliberately and commonly taken for oppression, censorship, tapping, limiting and/or blocking of (ADSL and) Internet services – which are all considered as serious violations of basic “Human Rights” – thus subject one day to “international digital sanctions” by the international community.
(Mazen Hayek of Al Arabiya can be reached at: mazen.hayek@mbc.net, and at Twitter: hayekmg@gmail.com (twitter: @HayekMG)
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