India has joined force with France, New Zealand, Canada, and other countries, launching a major initiative in Paris. The goal of this venture is to combat terrorism and extremism online, and to secure the internet from these threats. Named the “Christchurch Call” initiative, this is born out of the tragic event in Christchurch, New Zealand, where 51 people lost their lives in a terrorist attack on mosques.
The aftermath of the Christchurch attack emphasized the pressing need for enhanced cooperation among various sectors. These include governments, civil society, and online service providers like social media companies.
The Gathering in Paris: Who’s Involved?
Organized by France and New Zealand, the meeting in Paris included corporations such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Twitter. They signed onto the document, pledging to cooperate more closely with one another and governments. Their united goal is to prevent their platforms from becoming conduits for terrorism.
The Declaration: Detailed Highlights
The initiative outlines collective, voluntary commitments to address the issue of terrorist and violent extremist content online. It aims to prevent the abuse of the internet and still maintain a free, open, and secure cyberspace without compromising human rights and fundamental freedoms like the freedom of expression.
Recognizing the internet’s potential to be a force for good, it promotes a digital platform that encourages innovation, economic development, and inclusive societies. It also touches on the Internet’s ability to act as a force for societal good, including promoting innovation, economic development, and fostering inclusivity.
Industry Standards: A New Ethical Approach
Media outlets have been encouraged by the initiative to apply ethical standards when depicting terrorist events online. The main approach here is to steer clear from amplifying terrorist content while covering terrorism and violent extremism responsibly. It also includes the implementation of immediate and effective measures to mitigate risks associated with the dissemination of terrorist content, specifically through live-streaming. This will involve identifying content for real-time review.
US Stand: Free-Speech Concerns
Despite the significant support for the initiative, the US refrained from formally signing on due to concerns around free speech. They highlighted that a free, open, and secure internet is an avenue to foster social inclusiveness, promote connectivity, and drive economic growth.
Some Fact Check
Before the last subheading, let’s look at some facts related to online terrorism and extremism:
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Online extremism | Around 80% of all extremist activities occur online, with most happening in social networks. |
| Live-streaming issues | The New Zealand mosque shooting was live-streamed and viewed by thousands before it was taken down. |
| Social media platforms | Large social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google have been criticized for not doing enough to prevent extremist content on their sites. |
