published by: Nibandh Vinod
Last update: March 12, 2024, 06:00 IST
World Anti-Cybercensorship Day is also known as International Freedom of Expression Online Day. (Image: Shutterstock)
World Anti-Cybercensorship Day aims to emphasize the importance of free expression on the Internet and protest against cybercensorship.
Every year on March 12, people around the world celebrate World Anti-Cybercensorship Day. Established in 2008 by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the day seeks to unite people in favor of a single, unrestricted Internet. Additionally, the organization wants to ensure that everyone can access the Internet.
The main objective of this day is to emphasize the importance of free expression on the Internet and protest against cybercensorship. World Anti-Cybercensorship Day also draws attention to the ways in which governments around the world are limiting people's ability to express themselves freely online. The day is also known as International Freedom of Expression Online Day.
World Day Against Cybercensorship 2024: History
Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders first celebrated this day in 2008. These organizations believe that everyone has the right to express their opinions on the Internet. Since then, World Anti-Cybercensorship Day has been celebrated annually to raise awareness about repressive governments and how they limit freedom of expression on the Internet in their respective countries.
There are reportedly a few countries attempting to suppress freedom of expression on the Internet through various means, including strict defamation laws. It also involves blocking specific social media platforms or building a specialized firewall to prevent residents from accessing certain websites.
World Day Against Cybercensorship 2024: Importance
Although several incidents of misinformation, group posts and violent videos circulating on social media have led some to doubt the concept of freedom of expression online, these incidents cannot be the justification for blocking Internet access.
People continue to use the Internet to voice their grievances about injustice, corruption and other issues. Many authoritarian governments fear the power of the Internet and have attempted to suppress freedom of expression through cybercensorship.
World Day Against Cybercensorship 2024: Theme
This year the theme of World Anti-Cybercensorship Day has not yet been revealed.
World Day Against Cybercensorship 2024: How to observe
The Netizen Prize is awarded each year by Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International. This event is held to recognize Internet users who have made significant contributions to the fight for online freedom. During the event, the organization also publishes its annual list, “Enemies of the Internet and Countries Under Surveillance,” which ranks the countries with the highest cyber censorship.
