A/HRC/7/14 Page 11 connections has been completely banned, thus allowing for total government oversight over Internet use by its citizens. 24. The Special Rapporteur further highlights the facts that, in several cases, these illegal restrictions on the right to freedom of opinion and expression have been accepted and even facilitated by leading Internet corporations, the majority of which are based in democratic countries. Search engines, for example, have accepted many Governments’ imposition for strict controls and censorship, such as blocking “politically sensitive terms” of search results presented to individuals. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur is deeply worried about many large Internet corporations who have disclosed personal information of their users to allow Governments to identify and convict internet writers. Diversity 25. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes the importance of promoting diversity in the media. In particular, he stresses three fundamental dimensions of diversity that should be promoted: (a) diversity of outlets, in particular the establishment of a free environment for the creation and dissemination of outlets; (b) diversity of sources, especially taking advantage of the full benefits of digital platforms, in particular the Internet, to strengthen the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and (c) diversity of content, allowing for different communities and vulnerable groups to have access to media outlets and find ways to effectively disseminate their voice. 26. One of the central problems relating to the promotion of diversity refers to the licensing of media outlets. State-controlled licensing procedures have, in many countries, become a technical means of curbing media independence, particularly through normal and periodic procedures of renewal of licenses. These procedures have been used systematically by some Governments not as a regular administrative practice, but rather as a policy tool to wield influence over editorial content. The Special Rapporteur reiterates that, in order to guarantee freedom of the press, licensing should always be conducted by an independent authority, free from political interference by government officials. Furthermore, licensing procedures are only justified as a response to problems of scarcity, thus restricted to the broadcast media.