Freedom of Information 4 Human Rights Implicated: Right to information 4.1 Field Assessment Findings   Access to information has been a challenge in Myanmar for decades. Many interviewees wanted the Myanmar Government and media to use ICTs to communicate to Myanmar people much more widely, particularly in rural regions, and felt the introduction of the Internet and mobile technology would dramatically improve their ability to access information. Interviewees called for the establishment of information centres in rural areas to distribute information and act as knowledge resource hubs where people could seek information. See also the Field Research Findings in Chapter 4.2 on Hate Speech. Myanmar Good Practice Examples:  One of the international licensees is committed to developing 200 community information centres. The aim of these is to foster user adoption of mobile services and digital literacy across Myanmar, to connect to the outside world for rural communities that traditionally have not had access to connectivity or the masses of information available online and boost user adoption of mobile connectivity and Internet in rural areas and improve digital literacy through nationwide initiatives for schoolchildren. 270  One company has reported that its Myanmar operations are governed by a Code of Conduct and Code of Business Ethics, covering land, labour, health and safety, the environment, anti-discrimination, and privacy/freedom of expression. It conducted a human rights impact assessment in 2013, which identified key risks that will be reflected in its management systems. 271  One company reported that it had no formal establishment, no manufacturing and no direct investment in Myanmar but does sell its products via its network of distributors. They initiated a human rights impact assessment prior to their market entry into Myanmar. It has a Global Human Rights Statement, applicable to Myanmar. 272 C. Freedom of Expression: Recommendations for ICT Companies  Understand conflicts between national and international law: Myanmar’s laws on freedom of expression are not aligned with international laws and standards on freedom of expression. In addition, some clauses in the Telecommunications Law may allow censorship and surveillance (see Chapter 2). The World Bank has committed to carrying out a due diligence review of Myanmar’s telecommunications laws as part of its Telecommunications Sector Reform project, but to date, none of the reviews have been made public. 273 Recent Government practice has indicated that the 270 Telenor, “Telenor opens doors of Community Information Centre” (20 November 2014). Ericcson, “Response by Ericsson: Myanmar Foreign Investment Tracking Project", Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (last accessed September 2015). 272 See further: Microsoft, “Response by Microsoft: Myanmar Foreign Investment Tracking Project", Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (last accessed September 2015). 273 M. Igoe, “Is Myanmar ready for a telecommunications revolution?” (6 May 2014). 271 CHAPTER 4.1: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 135