[liberationtech] Aspen Institute to Present Findings on Barriers to Connectivity and the Freedom to Communicate in the Americas

[Yosem Companys]

Aspen Institute to Present Findings on Barriers to Connectivity and
the Freedom to Communicate in the Americas
Event to showcase new report, speakers Alec Ross, Ricardo B. Salinas
and Sergio Sarmiento

What: On Monday, October 1, 2012, the Aspen Institute Communications
and Society Program will release a new report detailing eight major
barriers to connectivity and the freedom to communicate in the
Americas and five recommendations for overcoming these barriers.The
report, Freedom and Connectivity: Advancing the Freedom to Communicate
in the Americas, captures the insights and recommendations of a
distinguished group of business, government, journalism and academic
leaders and experts from the United States and Latin America who met
earlier this year in Mexico City for the inaugural Aspen Institute
Forum on the Freedom to Communicate. A light lunch will be served.

Who:

Alec Ross, Senior Advisor for Innovation, U.S. Department of State
Ricardo B. Salinas, Founder and Chairman, Grupo Salinas
Sergio Sarmiento, Distinguished Journalist, Syndicated Columnist,
Radio and TV Host, TV Azteca
Charlie Firestone, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Communications
& Society Program (moderator)

The session will feature a presentation of the report and its
recommendations followed by comments from the featured speakers.  The
report addresses issues of connectivity, telecommunications investment
and competition, innovation and censorship in Mexico and throughout
the Americas. Following the featured speakers' remarks, Charlie
Firestone will moderate a discussion among all invited guests that
explores the challenges to the freedom to communicate at this pivotal
time in the global development of both democracy and digital
technologies.

When: Monday, October 1, 2012, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT
Where: The Aspen Institute, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C.

Follow on Web or Twitter: The event will be streamed live at
www.aspeninstitute.org/freedom2c. Join the discussion on Twitter at
hashtag #freedom2c or by following @aspencs.

Media who are interested in attending should contact Kiahna Williams
at kiahna.williams at aspeninstitute.org or 202.736.5818

The Aspen Institute Forum on the Freedom to Communicate addresses
issues surrounding the freedoms of expression, association, and
connectivity and develops actionable recommendations that can enhance
these freedoms, particularly in the Western Hemisphere.

The Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program serves as a
non-partisan venue for global leaders and experts to exchange insights
on the societal impact of advances in digital technology and network
communications. It also creates a multidisciplinary space in the
communications policy-making world where veteran and emerging
decision-makers can explore new concepts and develop new policy
networks. Visit us on the web at www.aspeninstitute.org/c&s and follow
on Twitter @aspencs

Grupo Salinas is a group of dynamic, fast-growing and technologically
advanced companies, focused on creating shareholder value, and
improving society through excellence. By making technology available
to all levels of society, Grupo Salinas promotes the development of
the countries where it operates.  Follow on Twitter @GrupoSalinas_GS