McCulley: Free speech on the Internet

Guardian

25 Feb 2011

McCulley: Free speech on the Internet

By Terence McCulley (US Ambassador to Nigeria) Opinion

As Nigeria approaches the challenge of conducting democratic national elections in April, its citizens are actively debating the essentials of democracy, what is necessary to support the exercise of their civic responsibilities and wisely choose their leaders.  For example, there is in the media and among lawmakers an ongoing discussion about the Freedom of Information Bill, intended to provide the citizens of Nigeria with greater access to information about the workings of their government.  An informed citizenry along with the freedom to speak freely and the right to associate with like-minded others are broadly understood as bulwarks of democracy...