World Day Against Cyber Censorship

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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.Stop Cyber Censorship

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.

Senator Lundy And Censorship Lite

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Pirate Party Australia rejects the Censorship Lite™ proposal currently espoused by Senator Lundy as a viable or appropriate alternative to the current proposal.

“Senator Lundy’s proposal for a ‘mandatory option’ for the internet filter is a bit of a hollow response to concerns of the wider community. It is basically opt-out, wrapped in double speak. Opt-out may seem marginally more palatable than the current proposals, however in some respects it is actually worse – it is totally unacceptable because it breaches the fundamental right to privacy.” said Rodney Serkowski, Party Secretary.

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Pirate Party Australia Welcomes Decision In iiNet Trial

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The Pirate Party Australia welcomes the decision of Justice Cowdroy in the Federal Court today, and whilst AFACT will most probably appeal this decision, we take it as a victory for common sense.

“This is a good decision by Justice Cowdroy, and reflects that there is no legal basis or obligation for any ISP to act in the interest of copyright holders, or to expect that they should disconnect any entity upon allegation of infringement without judicial oversight and due process. Essentially an ISP should be considered similar to the postal service – they simply carry data in the form of packets, and that communication should be considered private.” said Rodney Serkowski, Party Secretary.

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Have You Registered As A Member Of The Pirate Party Yet?

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Hello. I am Brendan Molloy, Group Co-ordinator of Pirate Party Australia.

Many of you signed up for preliminary membership near the end of last year, however, many of you have not followed up with a full membership.

Full membership is important, as in order to register as an official party, we require 500 full members. We are past the halfway point but we’re still not quite there, so we need your help!
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Attorney-General Michael Atkinson’s Backflip No Consolation

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Pirate Party Australia wishes to express its dismay at the recent amendments of the Electoral Act and disgust at Attorney-General Michael Atkinson’s apparent contempt for the South Australian public.

The South Australian Attorney-General commented with respect to new amendments requiring “anyone making an online comment about next month’s state election to publish their real name and postcode.”

Mr Atkinson said “There is no impinging on freedom of speech, people are free to say what they wish as themselves, not as somebody else.”

Matt Redmond, South Australian Pirate Party spokesperson stated “Every citizen in a democracy has the right to question the government, and in doing so, has the right to protect himself from censure. Even within the narrow scope of this bill, the Government has limited what people will be able to say without fear of retribution. Besides being ludicrously unenforceable, this amendment merely demonstrates that the Government has no interest in representing the people.”

He continued “That Ms Redmond and the Opposition raised no substantial objections to these amendments shows that they are just as out of touch with the internet generation as the incumbent Government.”

Rodney Serkowski, Pirate Party Australia Secretary criticised Attorney-General Atkinsonʼs comments. “Such comments are completely and utterly ignorant. Anonymity is an essential part of political discourse in any democracy, and an essential part of the freedom of speech. Mr. Atkinson does not seem to realise that someone may choose to maintain their anonymity due to fear of harassment, political or economic retribution and even
sometimes, threat to their lives. It is necessary for whistle blowers, those struggling against repressive governments and so forth.”

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