The_Internet_Protecting_Our_Democratic_Lifeline

Originally published on Archive.org https://archive.org/details/lca2020-The_Internet_Protecting_Our_Democratic_Lifeline "The Internet: Protecting Our Democratic Lifeline" - Brett Sheffield (LCA 2020) https://lca2020.linux.org.au/schedule/presentation/116/ The Internet is arguably the most useful tool for enabling democracy that has ever been developed. It allows citizens to communicate, to organize and to disseminate information. It enables whistleblowers and journalists to expose corruption and malpractice. It enables people to communicate across borders, to share and discover each others cultures and beliefs, to promote understanding and encourage peace. Unfortunately the Internet is today threatened from all sides by criminals, governments and corporations alike. Unless we take steps to prevent it, the weakening of this democratic tool will continue. Instead, we can choose to make it stronger and leave the next generation with a truly global, rights-enabled communication network