The Minister of Information and Communication Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi has called for supporting the discourse on the significance of access to the Internet and connection with the world.
“The importance of the economic, social, and human effects of
Internet blocking must be clarified. Internet is a basic need of people's lives,”
he said at a meeting with the digital economy stakeholders on Tuesday.
Hashemi urged maximum use of the capacity of the digital
economy ecosystem, the synergy between the private and public sectors, and
strengthening discourse construction in this area.
In the meeting with the representatives of guilds, unions,
operators, and stakeholders of the digital economy ecosystem, the ICT Minister also
lauded the support of the private sector in maintaining the stability of
communication services during the Israel-US imposed war.
"The endeavors of the stakeholders in this field were
less visible due to some side effects resulting from international internet
restrictions."
He termed as a valuable step the free access to some services
by the private sector during the war.
"The most important demand of digital economy is access
to international Internet,” he added “The ICT Ministry has been pursuing this
issue with responsible institutions through continuous consultation and
follow-up."
Hashmi also stated that the necessity of the Internet in people's
lives has been accepted at various decision-making levels in the country.
“Fortunately, the country's intelligentsia believes in
people's free access to information and considers the Internet to be a
necessity for people's lives.”
“Currently, the prevailing conditions in the country have
prevented the realization of this indisputable right of the people, and we are
trying to realize it,” he stressed.
Internet restriction backlashes
Referring to certain views on replacing the public Internet
with a business Internet, the ICT Minister also said: Limiting the Internet to
certain services or platforms lacks a precise look at the needs of society. The
public opinion should not be led in the wrong direction with unrealistic
analyses."
Hashemi said that Internet restriction has adversely affected
the lives of various groups in the society, including people with disabilities.
"For a part of society, cutting off or limiting the Internet
means cutting off contact with the world and disrupting the daily life. Reports
show that its consequences will increase in the future."
Hashemi also noted that some restrictive plans in the field
of ICT are an obstacle to innovation and stated: Any policymaking must be in a
way that preserves the ground for the growth of the digital economy and the
development of innovation in the country.
Business Internet can’t replace public Internet
The ICT Minister also clarified his view on the experience of
creating special access for certain businesses in times of crisis.
“This measure was taken solely to reduce losses in special
and critical situations and was not intended to replace the international."
He called on the digital economy stakeholders to convey their
problems, challenges, and demands to the ICT Ministry so that they can be
effectively followed up.
"Some people consider the Internet to be limited to a
few social networks, while the economy, employment, education, research, and
the psychological peace of society depend on this infrastructure,” Hashemi
said.