Press group asks US to reject cybercrime agreement

VIENNA: The International Press Institute (IPI) called on the United States (US) government to oppose the Global Cybercrime Convention, arguing that the agreement could severely impact press freedom.

The IPI is an organisation dedicated to the protection of journalists and the promotion of free press. It issued a statement urging the US to take a firm stance against the convention, which is nearing finalisation among United Nations member states.

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According to IPI, the new agreement would grant authorities expansive surveillance capabilities, which could be exploited by repressive regimes to target and suppress media outlets. The organisation expressed concern that the convention would enable extensive domestic and international monitoring, thereby threatening journalists’ ability to report freely and independently.

IPI also criticized the initial signatories of the treaty, many of whom have been noted for their poor records on press freedom and online censorship. The organization fears that the agreement’s broad surveillance provisions will exacerbate existing abuses and further empower governments that already misuse cybercrime laws to stifle dissent.

The statement from IPI comes at a critical juncture as UN member states move closer to finalising the global cybercrime agreement. The IPI’s call to action advocates for robust safeguards to protect journalistic freedoms and prevent the misuse of surveillance tools.

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Governments across various countries have previously faced criticism for leveraging domestic cybercrime legislation to curb journalistic activity under the pretext of countering terrorism, misinformation, and religious extremism.

IPI called on the US to reject the convention to uphold democratic values and safeguard press freedom on a global scale.