On 29 February the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety contacted Head of the Multimedia Center Osman Gunduz to ask his opinion about the creation of the Internet Council at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
Gunduz stated that his organization received an invitation to be a member of the Council, but there were three points of the council’s regulations that hindered its participation.
In an interview to "Turan" News Agency O. Gunduz noted these three items:
– The Regulation considers limiting some information.
– NGOs have observer status only in the Coordination Council and they don't have any impact on decision-making.
– Decisions adopted by the Coordination Council should be fulfilled without any questions.
Gunduz thinks this will cause restrictions in speech freedom.
* IRFS has sent an information request to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. In the inquiry, IRFS asks which NGOs are members of the Internet Council established by the Ministry, what the criteria for membership is, and if IRFS can participate in the Council.
In an interview to "Turan" News Agency O. Gunduz noted these three items:
– The Regulation considers limiting some information.
– NGOs have observer status only in the Coordination Council and they don't have any impact on decision-making.
– Decisions adopted by the Coordination Council should be fulfilled without any questions.
Gunduz thinks this will cause restrictions in speech freedom.
* IRFS has sent an information request to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. In the inquiry, IRFS asks which NGOs are members of the Internet Council established by the Ministry, what the criteria for membership is, and if IRFS can participate in the Council.