Beliefs, Attitudes and Users Shaping Freedom of Expression on the Internet in a Comparative Perspective
1. Beliefs, Attitudesand Uses
UnderpinningFreedomofExpressionandPrivacy
Online:
A ComparativePerspective
William Dutton
Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford
Global Values Project: http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/projects/?id=65
Presentation for Freedom of Expression on the Internet, UNESCO, with the
Moroccan Internet Society, Marrakesh, Morocco, 16 February 2013
2. The Global Values Project
Focus: Global User Perspectives on Freedom of Expression
Researchers: William Dutton, Principal Investigator; SoumitraDutta,
Co-Principal Investigator; Ginette Law, Research Associate, Gillian
Bolsover, Research Assistant, Isabella Litke, Research Assistant
Based at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, in
collaboration with the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of
Management, Cornell University.
Surveys conducted in collaboration with the World Economic Forum
(WEF) and comScore with support from ictQatar
Administrative support through ISIS Innovation, University of Oxford
Online field research conducted by Toluna and comScore
3. The Global Values Project:
The New Internet World
1. New online nations are
dominant in the New World;
2. Users developing a global
Internet culture: sharing
similar values and attitudes;
3. Newly adopting countries are
as liberal, if not more
so, such as in support for
freedom of expression;
4. Users in the newly adopting
nations are more innovative
in some patterns of
use, e.g., social networking.
4. ResearchQuestions
• Where does MENA sit in the ‘New Internet
World’?
• Are there patterns of beliefs, attitudes or use
constraining freedom of expression or privacy
online in the MENA region?
5. Methodology
• Online survey of Internet users in selected nations of
the Middle East and North Africa conducted in two
phases, from July through September 2012, fielded
by Toluna.*
• Merged with online survey of Internet users in
selected nations world-wide from July through
September 2012, fielded by comScore.
• Contextualized by review of related research and
literature, including other survey data available to the
project investigators.
*The survey was suspended during Ramadan.
6. The Survey Sample
Composition:
• 11,225 respondents in over 58 countries
MENA AFRICA LATIN ASIA EUROPE OCEANIA NORTH TOTAL
REGION AMERICA /AUS AMERICA
(N) 2,803 595 1,825 2,156 2,025 509 1,312 11,225
(N) = 2,309 (N) = 9,166
7. MENA REGION GCC NORTH AFRICA
Algeria 229 Bahrain 11 Algeria 229
Bahrain 11 Kuwait 197 Egypt 529
Egypt 529 Oman 141 Morocco 270
Iran 3 Qatar 156 Tunisia 108
Iraq 1 Saudi Arabia 511
Israel 10 UAE 245
Jordan 243
Kuwait 197
Morocco 270
Oman 141
Qatar 156
Saudi
Arabia 511
Tunisia 108
UAE 245
Yemen 149
TOTAL 2803 1261 1136
8. Languages Used by Respondents
3% Survey Languages- MENA Region
3%
3%
3% 3%
3%
14%
3%
Arabic
English
5%
French
46%
84%
11%
21%
English Arabic LatAm Span. Chinese French German Japanese Spanish Italian Korean
9. Number and Proportion of Internet Users by Region
90% 1200
79%
80%
1017
1000
70% 68%
61%
Total number of Internet users (Mil.)
60% 800
% of Internet users
50%
600
40% 45%
40% 501
36%
30% 26% 400
273
20% 22% 236
14%
200
139
10% 12%
10% 77
24 6%
1% 3%
0% 0
North America Oceania/Australia Europe Latin Middle East Asia Africa
America/Carib.
Percentage of global Internet population Number of Internet Users (mio.) Internet penetration within region
Source: Internet World Stats- www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm. Penetration rates are based on a world population of 6,930,055,154 and
2,267,233,742 estimated Internet users for December 31, 2011.
10. Number and Proportion of Internet Users in MENA Region
80% 40,000
36,500
70% 69%
70% 67% 35,000
60% 58% 57% 30,000
Total numbers of Internet users (thou.)
49%
50% 47% 25,000
% of Internet ursers
44%
42% 21,692
40% 20,000
36%
15,656 36% 31%
30% 15,000
26%
11,400
20% 21% 10,000
13%
5,263 15% 11%
4,700
10% 3,555 3,857 5,000
11% 4%
2,610
1,741 1,987
564 694 1,100 1,304
5% 4% 1% 2% 1% 1% 4% 2% 5% 3% 1%
0% 0
Israel UAE Qatar Oman Bahrain Morocco Iran Saudi Kuwait Tunisia Jordan Egypt Algeria Yemen Iraq
Arabia
Percentage of MENA Internet population Number of Internet Users (thou.) Internet penetration within country (%)
Source: Internet World Stats- www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm. Penetration rates are based on a regional population of 349,469,811 and
112,623,669 estimated Internet users for December 31, 2011.
11. Number and Proportion of Internet Users: North Africa
60% 25,000
21,692
49%
50%
20,000
47%
Total number of Internet users (thou.)
40%
15,656
36%
15,000
% of Internet users
34%
30%
26%
10,000
20%
13%
4,700 5,000
3,857
10%
10%
8%
0% 0
Morocco Tunisia Egypt Algeria
Percentage of North African Internet population Number of Internet Users (thou.) Internet penetration within country (%)
Source: Internet World Stats- www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm. Penetration rates are based on a regional
population of 164,097,529 and 45,904,952 estimated Internet users for December 31, 2011.
12. Patterns of Use
•MENA users rely more on the Internet for information &
communication than users in North America/Europe.
• The Internet is a greater source of entertainment, such as
music, in the MENA region.
• MENA users more involved in content production than old
Internet countries.
• However, less reliance on the Internet for work/school and
business and commerce in MENA.
Image courtesy of uak_rock8/Flickr.com Image courtesy of jannoon028/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
13. "The Internet is making things better for people like
me."
60%
50% 49%49%
48%
40% 39%
MENA (n=2727)
30%
North Africa (n=1102)
GCC ( (n=1227)
21% World Average (n=10811)
20%
17%
16%
15%
13%
12% 12%
11% 11%
10% 10%
10% 9% 9%
8%
7%
5% 5%
4% 4% 4% 4%
3% 3% 3%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7
disagree
15. “How often do you use the Internet for the following purposes?”
(mean)
2.48
Write a (Web)blog
3.2
Use a distribution list for sending an e-mail
3.71
Post a message on a social media platform MENA
Africa
Latin America & Caribbean
3.17
Asia
Post messages on discussion forums or message boards
Europe
Oceania/Aus
3.37 North America
Post pictures or photos
3.28
Update or create a profile on a social networking site
1 2 3 4 5
1= Never 2= Less than monthly 3= Monthly 4= Weekly 5= Daily
16. “How often do you use the Internet for the following purposes?”
(mean)
2.84
Express an opinion about politics online
2.1
Sign an online petition
MENA
2.35
Africa
Post a video Latin America & Caribbean
Asia
Europe
2.12
Oceania/Aus
Post a podcast North America
2.69
Maintain a personal website
1 2 3 4 5
1= Never 2= Less than monthly 3= Monthly 4= Weekly 5= Daily
17. Global Values: Freedom of
Expression, Privacy, Trust, …
Image scourtesy of maya picture and digitalart/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
18. Perceptions of Media Freedom in the MENA Region
90%
80%
% of respondents who believe that the media has freedom
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Radio Print TV Internet
MENA (n=2803) 45% 49% 47% 70%
Global Average (n=11225) 66% 65% 65% 82%
19. Perceptions of Media Freedom in North Africa and
the GCC Region
% of respondents who believe that the medi a has freedom
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Radio Print TV Internet
North Africa (n=1136) 47% 54% 47% 78%
GCC (n=1261) 44% 46% 47% 63%
20. "Access to the Internet should be a fundamental right
for all people."
70%
60% 59%
54%
50% 47% 46%
40%
MENA (n=2694)
North Africa (n=1092)
30% GCC ( (n=1203)
World Average (n=10794)
20% 18%
14%
12% 12% 12% 13%
10% 11% 10% 10%
10% 9%
5% 5% 5%
3% 3% 4% 2%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7
disagree
21. "People should be able to say what they feel about
their government on the Internet."
60%
50% 48%
42%
41%
40%
33%
MENA (n=2639)
30%
North Africa (n=1078)
GCC ( (n=1163)
World Average (n=10754)
20% 19%
16% 16%
15% 15%
14% 14%
13%
12%
11% 11%
10% 9%
7% 7%
6% 6%
5%
4% 5%
3%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7
disagree
22. "I can express myself freely online."
45%
40% 39%
35%
31%
30%
27%
25%
23% MENA (n=2700)
22%
21%
North Africa (n=1097)
20% 19% 19%
18% 18% GCC ( (n=1204)
17%
16% 16% 16% 16% World Average (n=10831)
15%
13%
10%
8% 8%
7% 7% 7%
6% 6%
5%
5% 4% 4% 4%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7
disagree
24. "I feel free to say things online that others might not
45%
agree with." 42%
40%
37%
35%
32%
MENA (n=2682)
30%
27%
North Africa (n=1093)
25%
GCC ( (n=1194)
20% World Average
17% 17% (n=10735)
16%
15%
15% 14% 14%
13% 13%
11% 11% 11% 11%
10% 10%
10%
8% 8%
7%
6% 6% 6%
5% 5%
5%
0%
1 Totally disagree 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7
25. “The Internet is a safe place to express my opinions."
25%
22%
21%
20% 20%
20% 19%
18% 18%
17%
15% 15%
15%
MENA (n=2803)
12%
11% 11% North Africa (n=1136)
10% 10% GCC ( (n=1261)
10% 9% World Average (n=11225)
8% 8% 8%
7% 7%
6%
5%
5% 4%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7 Don't know
disagree
26. "There are times when people should be able to be
anonymous on the Internet."
35%
31%
30%
30%
28%
27%
25%
20%
18% MENA (n=2665)
17%
16% 16% North Africa (n=1064)
15% 15%
15% 14% GCC (n=1185)
13% 13% 13% 13%
12% 12% 12% World Average (n=10701)
10%
10% 9%
8% 8%
7% 7% 7%
6% 6%
5%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7
disagree
27. "Government authorities should not censor political
content on the Internet."
30%
28%
27%
25% 24%
21%
20%
18%
16% 16%
15% 15% MENA (n=2803)
15% 14% 14% 14%
13% North Africa (n=1136)
12% GCC ( (n=1261)
11% 11% 11%
10% World Average (n=11225)
10% 9% 9%
8%
7% 7% 7%
6% 6%
5%
5%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7 Don't Know
disagree
28. “It is OK for people to express their ideas on the
Internet, even if they are extreme.”
30%
27%
25% 24%
23%
20%
20%
18% 18% 18% 18% 18%
17% 17%
16% 16%
15% MENA (n=2652)
15% 14%
13% North Africa (n=1079)
12% GCC ( (n=1180)
11%
10% 10% World Average (n=10761)
10% 9% 9% 9%
8% 8%
7%
5%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7
disagree
29. Privacy and Data Protection
• Users are divided over the conditions under which
governments should have any role in monitoring online
behavior.
• Users express guarded support for monitoring use, but not
tracking their own online activity.
• Users exhibit uncertainty over who is collecting what
personal information about them online.
• Many users are worried about putting personal information
online.
Imagesscourtesy of Salvatore Vuono and adamr/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
30. "Government authorities should monitor content
posted on the Internet."
30%
26%
25%
20%
20% 19% 19%
18%
17% 17%
15% 15% MENA (n=2649)
15% 14%
13% North Africa (n=1084)
12% 12% GCC ( (n=1176)
11%
World Average (n=10763)
10% 9% 9%
8% 8% 8%
7%
5%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7
disagree
31. "Government authorities should track my online
activity."
45%
40% 39%
38%
35%
35% 34%
30%
25% MENA (n=2803)
North Africa (n=1136)
20% GCC ( (n=1261)
World Average (n=11225)
15% 14% Series6
13%
12% 12%
11% 11% 11% 11%
10% 10%
10% 9%
8%
7% 7%
6% 6% 6%
5%
5% 4%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7 Don't Know
disagree
32. 30%
"The government monitors what people do on the
Internet." 26%
25%
25%
22% 22%
MENA (n=2803)
20% 19%
North Africa (n=1136)
GCC ( (n=1261)
16%
15% World Average (n=11225)
15% 14% 14% 14% 14%
13%
12% 12% 12%
11% 11%
10% 10% 10%
10% 9%
8%
7% 7%
6% 6% 6% 6%
5%
5%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7 Don't Know
disagree
33. "Government authorities should know with whom I
communicate online."
35%
33%
32%
30% 29%
25% 24%
23%
22%
20%
MENA (n=2659)
17%
North Africa (n=1079)
15%
15% GCC ( (n=1185)
13% 13%
12% 12% World Average (n=10815)
11%
10% 10%
10% 9%
8% 8% 8%
7% 7%
6% 6%
5%
0%
1 Totally 2 3 4 5 6 Totally agree 7
disagree
34. Over-Arching Themes
The MENA Region Reflects the New Internet World
- Innovative Uses of the Internet and Social Media
- Support for the Internet for Information, Entertainment, Expression, …
- Support for Core Internet Values: Freedom of Expression, Privacy, …
- But More Sensitive Areas of Expression
Concerns over Privacy, Trust, Security, …
Spectrum of Regional Opinions between Two Poles:
Traditional versus Next Generation Users
(education, age, and experience online)
Differences with MENA Region
Image courtesy of uak_rock8/Flickr.com
35. Implications for Discussion
Interventions in Support of More Inclusive Access:
- Take-up
- Skills
- Digital Literacy
Encourage Greater Use in Business, Government and Commerce
Foster Dialogue Across the Spectrum of Opinions
Address Uncertainties and Anxieties
Hinweis der Redaktion
-including respondents from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen
-
Users in the MENA countries are more involved in content production than those in North America and Western Europe– old Internet countries.
Interpersonal benefitsGeneral information seekingDistractionEconomical purposes