March 12 is an important day, even more so for Australians this year. It is the one day a year where we all protest incursions against the freedom of expression, and governments that threaten the freedom of the internet. Reporters Sans Frontières marks the occassion each year by issuing a list of “Enemies of the Internet”.
Whilst Australia does not yet make this auspicious list which includes countries like Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Tunisia – nations that restrict access online and harass their citizens; it does make the list of nations under surveillance. This list is representative of nations that are implementing policies that could potentially limit the freedom of the internet.
The intention may be good, but as RSF points out, the internet has become an important platform for social, cultural and economic interaction, for information sharing, and for mobilisation — the most important forum for political discourse.
The tendency of governments to interfere with and censor materials that does not conform with their moral agenda, choosing secrecy when policy laundering through secretive negotiations like ACTA, which the EU Parliament demanded transparency for, by a 633-13 vote. There is a real threat that if not now, in the future, these tools will be used to hinder political thought and silence dissent.
It is more important than ever that we act to stop censorship, that we defend the freedom of the internet from reactionary, well intentioned but ill thought out ‘solutions’. Precedence of our fundamental civil liberties must be given over the current system of unworkable information monopolies that dominate our apparently open and democratic society.
So today, consider joining the party if you haven’t already, and take the time to take action for an open internet. Today is World Day Against Cyber Censorship. Make it count.
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