通訊傳播科技發展日新月異,尤其是網際網路之普及化,助長資訊傳播之便利化及全球化。資訊化社會的來臨不僅改變個人的生活模式,也衝擊政府的治理能力。面對此種科技發展所帶來的社會型態轉變,國家以及國際之間做出適當之反應,特別是如何以法律加以規範,成為全球治理及法學研究不可迴避之命題。對於此項人權議題,世界上最大之三個網際網路搜尋服務公司,Microsoft, Yahoo 及Google 因為皆於中國面臨「網路人權」之問題,同時面臨中國政府之壓力及國際人權團體之批評,故於2008年共同提出「全球網路倡議(Global Network Initiative)」,除同意制訂新的自律性的網際網路「行為規範(code of conduct)」之外,並呼籲各國政府採取行動,以保護網際網路中之言論自由及隱私權。而且,除規範面之外,並就治理(Governance)、課責(Accountability)及學習(Learning)訂有執行步驟,並從2009年至2012年分段進行,是研究通訊傳播自由及其全球治理的最新議題。本文從國際人權法角度,探討全球化過程當中所產生之人權保障問題,並以網路言論自由為核心,探討在國際上共同建構網路治理之可行性。
Because of the developing of Information and Communications Technology(ICT), the life styles of human beings are changed. These changes are also serious challenges to rule of governments around the world. To protect and promote the human rights is the duty of governments in the information society. They have to guarantee that national laws, regulations and policies are consistent with international human rights laws and standards on freedom of expression and privacy. Freedom of expression is a human right and guarantor of human dignity. The right to freedom of expression includes the freedom to hold information without interference through any media, including internet. The collaboration between the ICT industry, investors, civil society organizations, academics and other stakeholders with governments can strengthen efforts to promote freedom of expression and privacy in the era of globalization. For these reasons , they have opened the「Global Network Initiative」in 2008. In this article, we will discuss legal issues on Freedom of Expression on the Internet and the protection of individual privacy.