Gov’t drafting more legislation for ICT development

Minister Blackmoore. * GIS photo

Government says a private sector and personal information protection bill and freedom of information bill are among several bills being drafted for consideration.

Minister for Public Works and Ports Rayburn Blackmoore made that disclosure when he represented Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit at the 27th meeting of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations convened at Fort Young Hotel on Sunday.

He told the meeting, the bills that are being drafted for consideration of Parliament, are geared at development in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, and also includes the “interception of communication bill, electronic transaction bill, computer and computer-related crimes bill, the electronic evidence bill has already been passed in parliament”.

Blackmoore spoke of the need for Dominica to embrace ICT in order to prosper in this century.

“The size and natural resources of a nation are no longer the determining factor for prosperity. It will be our human resources and their ability to innovate in the collective world, which will shape our collective future in the 21st century,” he said.

He noted that Dominican schools are embracing ICT with the use of modern pieces of equipment and facilities including computers and labs.

Blackmoore also pointed out to the growing use of mobile phones in Dominica as another sign of the country’s involvement in ICT.

He cited a World Bank report of 2008, saying that Dominica’s mobile penetration increased to 60 percent in 2004 from 1.6 percent and is now more than 100 percent “and growing”.

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23 Comments

  1. Our Right To Know
    January 31, 2011

    28 April 2010
    Secretary-GeneralSG/SM/12863 OBV/874 PI/1932

    Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

    In Message for World Press Freedom Day, Secretary-General Says United Nations Stands With Persecuted Journalists, Media Professionals Everywhere

    Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for World Press Freedom Day, to be observed on 3 May:

    Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, enshrined in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But around the world, there are Governments and those wielding power who find many ways to obstruct it.

    They impose high taxes on newsprint, making newspapers so expensive that people can’t afford to buy them. Independent radio and television stations are forced off the air if they criticize Government policy. The censors are also active in cyberspace, restricting the use of the Internet and new media.

    Some journalists risk intimidation, detention and even their lives, simply for exercising their right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, through any media, and regardless of frontiers.

    Last year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) condemned the killing of 77 journalists. These were not high-profile war correspondents, killed in the heat of battle. Most of them worked for small, local publications in peacetime. They were killed for attempting to expose wrongdoing or corruption.

    I condemn these murders and insist that the perpetrators are brought to justice. All Governments have a duty to protect those who work in the media. This protection must include investigating and prosecuting those who commit crimes against journalists.

    Impunity gives the green light to criminals and murderers, and empowers those who have something to hide. Over the long term, it has a corrosive and corrupting effect on society as a whole.

    This year’s theme is freedom of information: the right to know. I welcome the global trend towards new laws which recognize the universal right to publicly held information.

    Unfortunately, these new laws do not always translate into action. Requests for official information are often refused, or delayed, sometimes for years. At times, poor information management is to blame. But all too often, this happens because of a culture of secrecy and a lack of accountability.

    We must work to change attitudes and to raise awareness. People have a right to information that affects their lives, and States have a duty to provide this information. Such transparency is essential to good government.

    The United Nations stands with persecuted journalists and media professionals everywhere. Today, as every day, I call on Governments, civil society and people around the world to recognize the important work of the media, and to stand up for freedom of information.

    *

  2. Fairplay
    January 31, 2011

    These laws are necessary to bring Dominica up to date with computer and internet technology and effects.

  3. following their masters like poodles
    January 31, 2011

    Just over a week ago Mr Ambrose George said that A freedom of Information Act was not being considered by this Government…. Now Rayburn Blacmore is saying it is being it is being drafted… DRAFTED.. Is something wrong here? Which one is lying or maybe they just started drafting it a week ago? Interesting flip flopping lately with Blackmore…. i watching

  4. labouuuurr
    January 31, 2011

    Only those that not with us,its a ONE country state cant you see that
    wake up and smell the coffee

  5. negre marwon
    January 31, 2011

    Like all the other bills they pass. They don’t worth the paper they’re printed on.The implementation of
    bills that’s important.Just like the Integrity in Public Office Act.Passed but not implemented. They just
    passing bills for passing bills sake. Here is a suggestion ;Introduce a bill to Pass a Bill..Short titled
    The Redundant Bill” :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

  6. Mikes
    January 31, 2011

    “He cited a World Bank report of 2008, saying that Dominica’s mobile penetration increased to 60 percent in 2004 from 1.6 percent and is now more than 100 percent “and growing”.”

    Someone, maybe the Minister, needs to explain this statement to me so it makes some sense. Mobile penetration increased to 60% in 2004 from 1.6%, when was it at 1.6%? It’s now now more than 100% and growing, how can that be? Are we talking about mobile phone growth or mobile penetration in the telephone market?

    • informer
      January 31, 2011

      The Minister is quoting from the 2008 UN E-readiness Report. Annually index used to measure this index is adjusted. It is interesting that he did quote from the 2010 report which has been out since April.

  7. Jim
    January 31, 2011

    I would like to thank the Government for considering the proposed bills. It is about time that the citizens of this country be protected especially by the computer harkers. Everyone has a right to his privacy.
    Thank you, well done.

    Jim

    • gaynproud
      January 31, 2011

      A law without the instrument and skills to prosecute it is useless. Hackers seldom if ever attack private citizens, there is no value.

  8. A Voice from the Wilderness
    January 31, 2011

    Why can’t blackmore just his mouth?. Lately he makes a statement on everything, anthing. May his listening audience is growing!!!

    Voice from the wilderness

    • "iron" Mike Tyson
      January 31, 2011

      I guess that the government should just implement the bill without saying anything to the public about it. Then all of you will come back with the same transparancy crap. What can this gov’t do right for you opposers?

      • Labor Pain
        January 31, 2011

        Sorry, but this Govt has lost it. They need to goooooooooooooooooooooo

  9. Citizen Kane
    January 31, 2011

    They must draft laws to get crooks like Trevor Johnson and others in Dominica who hack into people’s e-mail.Hide in Trinidad but one day you will be caught with all your acolytes in the UWP.When Trveor is caught i hope Blessings megallomaniac Edison,Transexual Michael Coipel will come to his rescue.I hope the govt.employ Lennox Linton to Investigate Trevor because he knows Trevor moves.Angello Toilet Mouth Alleyne will be Trevor’s Lawyer.

    • real possie
      January 31, 2011

      since that day trevor never posted on here i wonder y seems like d boy shut down all his computers
      them trini don’t like bandarr so they are not going to let him do what he does in thier country

  10. ..........
    January 31, 2011

    Wow…Mr.Blackmoore,
    I know you a busy man and all with your ICT and Cruise Village but you think you could possibly take a second and PAY Public Works??? I know Public Works is now a private company but their ONLY client is The Ministry of Public Works so if you pay them their dues and stop promising…MAYBE they will be able to pay the poor ppl they in turn owes. I am tired of hearing “WE WAITING ON GOVERNMENT” come on man ………what happen to the slogan”All shall EAT???” Im hungry and i only crying for what i work for ..NO HANDOUT so please take a second and LET ALL EAT!!!!!
    Thanks in advance for your consideration and quick payment.
    Sincerely
    …………………..

  11. Informer
    January 31, 2011

    I am interested to see these bills. It seems like these guys just wake up with a bill the download and the implement it. Would it not make better sense to compile, analyse the statistics and react with a bill accordingly. I am trying not to be critical but come of these actions lately seem without adequate thought.

    • "iron" Mike Tyson
      January 31, 2011

      You seem very confident that they have not done any research on the matter! Are you a fly on their wall?

      • informer
        January 31, 2011

        Confident based on the Dominican criminal statistics, and an in-depth knowledge of that type of legal drafting. Also under the head it is reported tells me they have no clue what they are talking about.

        • nuff
          January 31, 2011

          agree

  12. Karkabeff
    January 31, 2011

    Garson Ray all I can tell allu is that while drafting the private sector and personal information protection bill and freedom of information bill be very, very, very, very careful because we the citizens are watching with great interest. We will NOT allow any of our rights to be violated because someone wants to silence their critics. Hail Mary Full Of Grace…

  13. VB
    January 31, 2011

    DNO needs to get copies of these biils passed and educate the public on what they are and what it means.

  14. mouth of the south
    January 31, 2011

    “Government says a private sector and personal information protection bill and freedom of information bill are among several bills being drafted for consideration.” that sentence alone got me thinking,,,, wat is that rogue gov’t up to,,,, first they want to domesticate our internet now this,,,, i suspect alot of spying going to be done,,,,

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