The International Council on Archives (ICA) has officially signed the Statement on Digital Rights for Protecting Memory Institutions Online, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that archives can fulfil their mandate in the digital age.
By signing the Statement, the ICA joins a growing global coalition of memory institutions calling for the protection of the core rights that archives have long exercised offline and must continue to exercise online.
Why This Matters
Archives safeguard documentary heritage, support accountability and transparency, and enable research and public access to information. As more records are created, shared, and stored digitally, it is essential that archival institutions retain the legal and practical ability to carry out their mission.
The Digital Rights Statement affirms four essential rights for memory institutions:
- Right to Acquire Digital Materials
- Right to Preserve Digital Materials
- Right to Provide Controlled Access to Digital Materials
- Right to Cooperate with Other Memory Institutions
These rights are fundamental to ensuring that archives can collect, preserve, and provide access to digital records for present and future generations.
A Call to ICA Members
The ICA strongly encourages its member institutions, particularly National Archives, to sign the Digital Rights Statement and join this global effort.
Protecting digital rights is essential to protecting documentary heritage. By standing together, we can ensure that archives remain empowered to preserve the past and serve the future.
