Making ICT Policy in Africa: an Introductory Handbook
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MAKING ICT POLICY IN AFRICA An Introductory Handbook By Sekoetlane Phamodi (Ed.), Michael Power and Avani Singh MAKING ICT POLICY IN AFRICA AN INTRODUCTORY HANDBOOK Published by fesmedia Africa Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) P O Box 23652 Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264-61 417 523 Email: [email protected] www.fesmedia-africa.org All rights reserved. Editor: Sekoetlane Phamodi Authors: Sekoetlane Phamodi, Michael Power, Avani Singh Cover photographs by @Townhouse Media The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views of the FES or fesmedia Africa. fesmedia Africa does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. ISBN: 978-99945-77-89-7 The sale or commercial use of all media published by the FES is prohibited without the written consent of the FES. CONTENTS LIST OF ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................................................... 1 GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS ...............................................................................................................................2 PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 1: ICT GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORKS 1.1 What exactly is ICT policy? ......................................................................................................................7 1.1.1 Policy................................................................................................................................................ 8 1.1.2 Legislation ....................................................................................................................................... 8 1.1.3 Regulation ....................................................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Why do ICT policies matter and to whom? .......................................................................................... 9 1.3 What kinds of imperatives do ICT policies respond to? .....................................................................10 1.3.1 Sustainable human development ................................................................................................ 11 1.3.1.1 International recognition of the role of ICTs for sustainable development ............................ 12 1.3.2 Stimulating economic growth ..................................................................................................... 13 1.3.3 Securitisation .................................................................................................................................14 CHAPTER 2: THE DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM 2.1 The layer model of the Internet ............................................................................................................. 17 2.1.1 The physical layer.......................................................................................................................... 17 2.1.2 The code layer (or the “protocol stack”) ....................................................................................18 2.1.3 The application layer .................................................................................................................... 19 2.1.4 The content layer ......................................................................................................................... 20 2.2 Disparate but connected ...................................................................................................................... 20 2.3 Relationships produced by the layer model of the Internet ............................................................... 21 CHAPTER 3: RIGHTS AFFECTED BY ICT POLICY MAKING 3.1 Situating human rights on the Internet ................................................................................................25 3.2 Freedom of expression and access to information ............................................................................27 3.2.1 The limitation of rights ................................................................................................................ 29 3.2.2 Media and content regulation ..................................................................................................... 31 3.2.3 Interference with network services and infrastructure, including Internet shutdowns ........ 32 3.2.4 Intermediary liability .................................................................................................................... 33 3.3 The right to privacy and its relationship with cybercrimes, cybersecurity and surveillance ..........37 3.3.1 Data sovereignty and protection ...............................................................................................40 4.1 Guiding principles .................................................................................................................................. 43 4.2 The ICT policy making process ............................................................................................................46 4.2.1 Step 1: Agenda setting .................................................................................................................46 4.2.2 Step 2: Formulation and adoption .............................................................................................46 4.2.3 Step 3: Implementation ............................................................................................................... 47 4.2.4 Step 4: Evaluation and termination ........................................................................................... 47 4.3 A guide to drafting an ICT policy .........................................................................................................49 4.3.1 Use of plain language .................................................................................................................49 4.3.2 The policy statement ...................................................................................................................49 4.3.3 Definitions .....................................................................................................................................49 4.3.4 Application ...................................................................................................................................49 4.3.5 Intended objectives and outcomes ............................................................................................49 4.3.6 Core content .................................................................................................................................50 4.3.7 Time-frames and modes of evaluation .....................................................................................50 4.3.8 Related laws, regulations, and procedures ............................................................................... 51 4.3.9 Policy implementation .................................................................................................................. 51 4.3.10 Skills development and technical expertise .............................................................................. 51 4.3.11 Institutional separation and coordination .................................................................................52 4.3.12 Guidelines, frameworks and implementation plans ................................................................ 53 4.3.13 Public awareness, education and training ............................................................................... 54 4.3.14 Measuring compliance ................................................................................................................ 54 4.3.15 Compliance and enforcement mechanisms ............................................................................ 55 APPENDIX 1: ICT POLICY CHECKLIST ICT POLICY CHECKLIST ..........................................................................................................................60 APPENDIX 2: USING THE HANDBOOK AS A TRAINING RESOURCE A note for users and trainers ................................................................................................................. 62 1 . Mapping exercise ............................................................................................................................... 63 2. Application of the ICT policy checklist ............................................................................................. 63 3. Discussion questions .......................................................................................................................... 63 4.Drafting scenarios ..............................................................................................................................64 5. Quiz ...................................................................................................................................................... 65 Answers to quiz ....................................................................................................................................... 70 APPENDIX 3: RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Recommended resources .....................................................................................................................