The International Freedom of Expression eXchange website, ifex.org.
IFEX is responsible for covering three different, but similar facets.
1) Action Alert Network – “Member organizations report free expression abuses in their geographic region or area of expertise to the Clearing House which, in turn, circulates this information to other members and interested organizations all over the world.”
Action Alert Coordinators
Michaël Elbaz
Marianna Tzabiras
Vera Top
2) Outreach Development – “Based on a recognition of current North-South disparities, this programme is designed to support and strengthen fledgling freedom of expression organizations in the developing world, Eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union.”
Outreach and Development Coordinators:
Maureen James
Rachael Morton-Gittens
3) IFEX Communique – “The Clearing House publishes the IFEX Communiqué, a weekly newsletter that reports on IFEX members' activities and on freedom of expression developments around the world. Distributed to thousands of subscribers in more than 150 countries, the IFEX Communiqué highlights journalists killed or released from prison, trends in free expression, and awards and training opportunities. “
IFEX Communiqué Editor: Geoffrey Chan
Similar
to thehacktivist.com in both style and content, IFEX.org looks to disseminate a
wide variety of information about cyber-terrorism and activity. The
international freedom relates most specifically to places that, like China, do
not allow freedom of expression. The flashiest part of the site, the banner, is
a faded white all caps IFEX on red. The rest of the site is in plain peach,
black, white and grey. There is also a map of the world with point-and-clickable
countries:
The site is accessible in English, Spanish and French, indicating a clientele of potential activists is able to extend far beyond the distance of the locations where violations occur. Violations to the inalienable freedom of the internet.
Navigating through the site is easy. A search bar allows access to previous articles and the database is vast, thorough and all-encompassing. REGIONAL NEWS features a list of ALERTS. These alerts don’t blink or light up or otherwise annoy. They are in about 8 point font and the only alarming thing about them is the writing. Journalists are arrested and killed over cyberspace. This is part of the war – a war with pixels, words and bullets.
On the right bar of the page, I click on the Asia and Pacific section to see “Is Microsoft Aiding Internship in China? Here’s a quick excerpt:
The report says technologies sold to China by Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks, Sun Microsystems and Websense are indirectly fueling a dramatic rise in the number of people detained or sentenced in the country for Internet-related offences. Since November 2002, there has been a 60 per cent increase, with 54 cases recorded as of 7 January 2004, Amnesty says.
All in all, IFEX.org’s mission is very clear. Its goal is to keep members of the worldwide community aware of violations, prison internments and actions taking by fellow activists. While thehacktivist.com promotes cyber-action, this cyber-action is through knowledge, through governmental petitions and legal means, and also through direct activity.