The first World Bloggers Meeting condemned the economic, commercial and financial U.S. blockade against Cuba which has been operational for half a century, and which cuts or censures Internet access in the country.

The rejection of Washington's economic blockade against Havana appears in the Charter of Foz de Iguazu, published on Sunday and endorsed by nearly 470 participants from 23 countries to the global meeting of digital activists, journalists, academics and students, held in that Brazilian city from October 27 to 29.

Participants denounced against any attempt at censorship on the Internet and declared support for network neutrality, incentives to tele-centers and other mechanisms of social inclusion, and the independent development of information technologies and free software.

The final document of the meeting rejects "any restrictions on Internet access, such as that imposed by the United States in the process of blockade against Cuba."

The Charter of Foz de Iguazu notes that the meeting confirmed the growing strength of the so called new media, with their sites, blogs and social networks, while allowing a rich exchange of experiences. The document also stressed that the meeting showed that new media can be an essential tool for strengthening and improving democracy.

The participants considered it essential to fight for freedom of expression, which should not be confused with the supposed freedom practised by the media monopolies, who fight against the plurality of information. The delegates argued that the human right to communication is now a strategic issue.

Delegates also proposed to struggle for new regulatory standards of communication to encourage public and community media, diversify and promote alternative media, and ensure access of society to democratic and pluralistic media.

Attendees also agreed that these new communication regulatory standards should inhibit monopolies, cross-ownership and misuse of public concessions.