PHL only SEA country with Internet freedom —study

The Philippines is the only country in the Southeast Asian region that has Internet freedom, according to an analysis conducted by independent watchdog organization Freedom House. This year also marks the fifth consecutive year of Internet freedom decline globally.

 

The report, entitled Freedom on the Net 2015, looked at the Internet freedom of 65 countries around the world, scoring countries based on three criteria—obstacles to access (25 points maximum), limits on content (35 points maximum), and violations of user rights (40 points maximum). A total score of 0 is considered the most free and 100 is the least free.

 

Countries with scores from 0-30 are considered “free,” from 31-60 are considered “partly free,” and from 61-100 are considered “not free.”

 

 

The Philippines has a total score of 27, making it the only Southeast Asian country included in the study with Internet freedom. The Philippine score breakdown is 10 points for obstacles to access, 5 points for limits on content, and 12 points for violations of user rights.

 

In the whole of Asia, the Philippines is only second to Japan (which has a score of 22). Of the countries included in the analysis, China is the least free, with a score of 88.

 

However, Internet freedom in the Philippines is actually on the decline, compared to the first evaluation in 2012.

 

 

There’s also no change in the Philippines’ freedom of Internet score between 2014 and 2015. Press freedom is considered partly free and improving access to Internet is hindered by expensive subscription fees and service limited mostly to major cities.

 

The study noted that out of a population of 100.1 million people, the Philippines has an Internet penetration rate of 40 percent and no blocked social media or information and communications technology (ICT) apps, no blocked political or social content, and no arrested bloggers or ICT users.

 

According to Freedom House’s website, they “analyze the challenges to freedom, advocate for greater political rights and civil liberties, and support frontline activists to defend human rights and promote democratic change.” They plan to expand next year’s analysis and cover more countries. — All photos courtesy Freedom House/TJD, GMA News