Seaparo Phala, CIO of the Department of Arts and Culture, gave a presentation on internet governance, open source software, and their linkages. The presentation covered what internet governance is, key issues like access and rights, the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms, South Africa's policy supporting open source software to promote digital economic growth, and examples of the department's open source initiatives. Phala concluded by encouraging open source communities to engage with the government on further promoting open standards and internet freedom.

1. INTERNET GOVERNANCE AND
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
PRESENTATION BY SEAPARO PHALA
CIO, DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE

2. Overview
• What is Internet Governance
• Internet Governance Issues
• African Declaration on Internet Rights and
Freedoms
• Linkages between internet rights and open
sources software
• South African Policy on Open Source Software
• Using Open Source to contribute towards
growth of the Digital Economy
• Conclusion

3. What is Internet Governance
• No one owns the internet, hence the need for internet
governance
“The development and application by Governments, the
private sector and civil society, in their respective roles,
of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making
procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution
and use of the Internet”
• Simply put, internet governance refers to the
processes that impact how the Internet is managed.

4. Internet Governance Issues
Access Cost, Infrastructure, User experience
Children and the Internet Inappropriate content , behaviour
Domain Name System Security
Extensions (DNSSEC)
Helps to ensure that you are communicating with the
correct website or service, provides us with a platform
for future innovations to enhance user confidence in
Internet-based services
Encryption Prevent pervasive monitoring, promote privacy,
confidentiality
Human Rights Internet rights are human rights.
Digital citizens deserve to have their rights protected
on the Internet (online) as well as offline
Innovation Drive new ideas and visions, improve quality of life and
improve economic growth
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) In South Africa: Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town

5. Internet Governance Issues … cont
Internet Regulation Censorship of data, and controlling or restricting
aspects of the Internet such as domain registration, IP
address control etc
Net Neutrality ISPs should treat all lawful Internet content in a neutral
manner – no preferential treatment
Online Identity Digital footprint, right to be forgotten/delisted
Open Standards The internet is based on open, non-proprietary
standards which is key to allowing devices, services,
and applications to work together across a wide and
dispersed network of networks

6. African Declaration on Internet
Rights and Freedoms
• Key Principles of the Declaration:-
• Openness
• Internet Access and Affordability
• Right to Information
• Freedom of Assembly and Association and the Internet
• Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
• Privacy and Personal Data Protection
• Security, Stability and Resilience of the Internet
• Marginalised Groups and Groups at Risk
• Right to Due Process
• Democratic Multi-stakeholder Internet Governance
• Gender Equality
Source: http://www.africaninternetrights.org/

7. Linkages between Open Source Software
and Internet Rights
• The two are not mutually exclusive
• Openness
• Open Standards
• Free as in freedom
• The internet is a major base for distribution of OSS
• OSS contributes towards accessibility of the internet and
innovation

8. South African OSS Policy
1. The South African Government will implement FOSS unless
proprietary software is demonstrated to be significantly
superior
2. Government will migrate current proprietary software to
FOSS whenever comparable software exists
3. All new software developed for or by the Government will be
based on open standards, adherent to FOSS principles, and
licensed using a FOSS license where possible
4. Government will ensure all Government content and content
developed using Government resources is made Open
Content
5. Government will encourage the use of Open Content and
Open Standards within South Africa

9. • The digital/internet economy currently contributes 2,5 % to the
South African GDP
• South African government spends billions annually on software
and a bigger chunk leaves the country
Towards Digital Economic Growth
Findings of the Report on the Impact of Internet Regulation on
Investment commissioned by Google. Government Actions or
Initiatives that would impact Investment Decisions:-
The Government:-
1. is open minded about new business models (e.g sharing economy)
2. protects freedom of expression on the internet
3. invests in education and digital skills boosting (e.g. literacy, high tech)
4. invests/enables investing in the internet and mobile infrastructure
5. activates policies aimed at reducing taxes and fees for end internet and
mobile users
6. promotes open data use
7. adopts policies aimed at liberalizing mobile payments
8. facilitates policies enabling access to spectrum and backhaul
9. releases transparent regulatory roadmaps and holds public
consultations on all new legislative proposals on internet/mobile
regulation

10. Culture meets Digital
Initiatives at the Department of Arts and Culture
• Drive towards FOSS technologies to implement government policy
and legislative requirements
• FOSS used for core systems, amongst others:-
• Enterprise Content Management
• National Automated Archival Information Retrieval System
(NAAIRS)
• New National Archives Website, DAC Website and Intranet on
Drupal
• South African Heritage Resources Information Retrieval System
(SAHRIS)
• Linux Desktops at the National Library of SA

11. What is to be done by Drupalists?
• Talk about successful FOSS implementations in
government and elsewhere
• Mobilise towards an active non-governmental
community to engage and challenge government on
OSS and internet policy matters
• Actively get involved in the internet governance
debate through the various fora and organisations
e.g Internet Society, Internet Governance Forum

12. SOFTWARE and INTERNET FREEDOM IN OUR
LIFETIME!

13. Thanks you!
Contact:
Seaparo Phala
Cell: 082 389 9023
Email: Seaparo.Phala@dac.gov.za
Twitter: @SeaparoP