Professor Howard Joins The Global Network Initiative

SPP's Professor Philip N. Howard has joined the academic constituency of the Global Network Initiative (GNI).

Howard was named recently among a group of new tech companies, civil society organizations, investors and academics to join the GNI's collaborative effort to protect online rights.

The Global Network Initiative works to prevent internet censorship and to protect the online privacy rights of individuals. With principals grounded in international human rights laws and standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the GNI provides guidance to the information and communications technology industry and its stakeholders on how to protect and advance the human rights of freedom of expression and privacy when they are faced with pressures from governments to take actions that might infringe upon these rights.

"The Global Network Initiative is one of the leading collaborations among industry and civic groups," said Howard. "Its mission to keep the internet open is important, and it has shown itself to be a viable policy mechanism."

Howard is Professor of Media and Communications Policy and Governance at the School of Public Policy and serves as Director of its Center for Media and Communication Studies. His research investigates patterns of technology diffusion between and within developing countries and the role of new information technologies in political communication systems around the world. "Participating in global policy conversations about technology and communication is a key Center objective," added Howard. "Building these relationships allows us to involve students in policy oriented research, and allows the expertise at SPP to have a public impact."

Other new members of the GNI included in the announcement were LinkedIn, the PEN America Center, Walden Asset management and EIRIS Conflict Risk Network. Speaking on the announcement, GNI Executive Director Susan Morgan said: " As new companies commit to GNI's principles on freedom of expression and privacy, and as new human rights groups, investors and academics join our efforts, our ability to set a standard for safeguarding online rights is increasing."