World Day Against Cyber Censorship

What Is World Day Against Cyber Censorship?

Every year on March 12th, the world observes "World Day Against Cyber Censorship," established in 2008 by the international NGOs Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Amnesty International. The day supports freedom of expression on the internet and opposes the unjust restriction of information (censorship) carried out by certain countries or organizations. It's a day to reaffirm the importance of a digital space where everyone can freely access information and share their opinions.

Facts About the Global Fight for Internet Freedom

The internet is an open space, but it remains constantly under threat from surveillance and regulation.

• The "Enemies of the Internet" list: To mark this day, Reporters Without Borders publishes a list of countries and government bodies that have intensified internet censorship, drawing international attention to the issue.
• Restricted access: In some parts of the world, social media blackouts, restrictions on searching certain keywords, and full communication shutdowns occur for political reasons.

Interesting Facts About Cyber Censorship

• An early supporter: At the first observance in 2008, Vinton Cerf, one of the "fathers of the internet," sent a message in support of the free flow of information.
• Mirror sites: When news sites are shut down by censorship, activists often copy and republish them on other servers to keep information from being blocked.
• The role of hacker culture: Some "hacktivism" -- hacking carried out for political purposes -- has aimed to disable censorship systems under authoritarian regimes and give citizens access to information.
• The "Great Firewall": Large-scale national censorship systems are sometimes nicknamed "Great Firewalls," and the decades-long cat-and-mouse game between censors and technologists working to get free information through continues today.
• The "splinternet": As censorship increases, there's growing concern about a phenomenon called the "splinternet," where the internet's content differs significantly from country to country.

An Open Window That Illuminates the World

World Day Against Cyber Censorship is a reminder that the environment we take for granted -- where searching brings up an answer -- is not something everyone in the world enjoys. Information is a light that pierces the darkness, and a bridge that connects people and helps them understand one another. On March 12th, take a moment to appreciate the diversity of information you receive, and consider showing respect for different perspectives and values. By sharing the joy of thinking and speaking freely, we help the internet evolve into a richer, more powerful space for dialogue.

Ideas for Observing World Day Against Cyber Censorship

• Read foreign media outlets or columns with differing viewpoints, not just your usual news sources, to experience a wider variety of information
• Review your internet security and privacy settings to strengthen how you protect your own digital information
• Learn about organizations and journalists working for freedom of information, and consider how you might support or take an interest in their work
• Share a positive message in support of freedom of expression on social media, using tags like "#WorldDayAgainstCyberCensorship"

Free Thought Opens a True Door to the Future

March 12th is a day to truly appreciate the value of your "right to know" and your "power to speak." When our sensibilities are free from outside interference, they can give rise to new ideas and deep emotions that move the world in a better direction. May today be a day that opens your perspective wide and leaves you feeling wonderfully intellectually free!