Vint Cerf On Human Rights: Internet Access Isn't On the List

Gallenod writes "In an op-ed for the New York Times, Vint Cerf writes that civil protests around the world, sparked by Internet communications, 'have raised questions about whether Internet access is or should be a civil or human right.' Cerf argues that 'technology is an enabler of rights, not a right itself,' and contends that for something to be considered a human right, it 'must be among the things we as humans need in order to lead healthy, meaningful lives, like freedom from torture or freedom of conscience. It is a mistake to place any particular technology in this exalted category, since over time we will end up valuing the wrong things.'"

Comments

Re:Well that's funny, cos my country just

[nospam007]

Your country? Which one is it?

The UN declared it a human right.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2011/06/united-nations-wikileaks-internet-human-rights/38526/

Re:Communication is a human right

[bws111]

"Free press" does not, and never has, meant that any and everyone has access to a press. "Free press" does not, and never has, meant that any and everybody has access to the materials printed. "Free press" means that IF you have a press the government does not control what you print.