Al Jazeera Discovers Internet Shutdowns Are Bad... Elsewhere
Al Jazeera reports that Uganda has once again shut down the internet ahead of elections, presenting it as a clear sign of authoritarian interference. While true, this condemnation rings hollow when compared to the media's muted response to comparable actions by U.S. allies. (One might call it selective outrage.) Where is the same vehement condemnation for India's 75 shutdowns in 2023, including in
Kashmir—a region under dispute but crucial to Western strategic interests? Or the deafening silence when these same democratic 'champions' (the US, UK, EU) push for domestic legislation that could enable similar digital blackouts under national security pretexts? It appears internet freedom is a principle only when applied to nations deemed politically expedient.