The IFLA/UNESCO Internet Manifesto

Source:
IFLA Internet Manifesto: http://www.ifla.org/III/misc/internetmanif.htm

Abstract:

The IFLA Internet Manifesto establishes the principles of freedom of access to information via the Internet. It also aims to highlight the “unhindered” access to information in order to help individuals and communities to attain freedom, equality, global understanding and peace. This manifesto was made coherent to the Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and idea through any media and regardless of frontiers”.

Things I learned:

1. As mentioned in the Manifesto, some of the information found in the Internet are incorrect, misleading and may be offensive. This statement has just made me realize how important the role of Librarians in this current age of information. One of our “many” jobs is to help in filtering and evaluating information.
2. Policies on access should accompany the implementation of this Manifesto.
3. Equality on the access to information should always be the main priority.

Reflections:

As part of the LIS 260 class, I think that reading through the IFLA Internet Manifesto brings back the issues, concerns, and past R.A topics that was discussed in our class. Nobody can disagree that access to information available in the Internet should be free, equal and unlimited. But as we look back on those issues discussed such as digital divide, the availability of open access, violations on the Intellectual Property code, presence of software piracy, etc it tells us that although access to information “should” be free and equal, in reality sometimes it is not. In my opinion, the IFLA Internet Manifesto serves as a reminder to us users of the Internet that it is our right and privilege to have an equal access to the available information in the Internet. However certain restrictions such as fee-based access, following the copyright law, the unethical use of pirated software, the economic gap problem, etc should be considered. We must remember that access to information in the Internet is free, the type and extent of access is always the problem.