Technology companies asked to make a commitment to freedom of speech

NEW YORK: An alliance of investors and researchers is pledging to monitor technology companies that do business in countries with shaky human rights reputations, and is asking the companies to proclaim their commitment to freedom of expression. 

Twenty-five investment groups, representing about $21 billion (euro17.8 billion) in assets in the United States, Europe and Australia, are signatories to a "joint investor statement on freedom of expression and the Internet,'' an initiative spearheaded by the media watchdog Reporters Without Borders.