Amnesty International calls for Bloggers support
October 30th 2006 12:58
Amnesty International is calling for bloggers worldwide to show support for their campaign to defend freedom of expression on the internet. The respected human rights group believes that our freedom of speech is currently in danger of being restricted, as has already happened in many countries such as China and Iran where bloggers can be imprisoned for simply expressing a disagreement with government policy. They are asking that bloggers show their solidarity by publicising this campaign and pledging your signature to their online petition at irrepressible.info.
This comes at a time when, as I have mentioned in previous blogs, the EU is attempting to pass legislation to prevent us uploading videos and the US military is "enaging bloggers". This week marks the first meeting of the Internet Governance Forum, a five day event setup by the UN where governments, corporations etc. debate the future of the internet. Amnesty International will be taking its campaign to the IGF to show the mass disagreement of policies designed to limit our freedom of expression.
I would urge all boggers, and internet users in general, to read the attached articles and visit irrepressible.info to sign the petition and show that you are willing to stand up for your right to express your opinion. The internet connects people from all over the world regardless of race or culture and allows us to exchange information that would otherwise not be available to us. As soon as we allow authority to begin restricting this flow of information, the internet will become no more varied and interesting than television and no more informative than the average government approved media outlet. Steve Ballinger of Amnesty International is quoted in the attached BBC News article as saying "Freedom of expression online is a right, not a privilege - but it's a right that needs defending".
Relevant Links :
Pledge at Irrepressible.info
BBC News Free Speech Online 'Under Threat'
BBC News World Discusses Internet Future
This comes at a time when, as I have mentioned in previous blogs, the EU is attempting to pass legislation to prevent us uploading videos and the US military is "enaging bloggers". This week marks the first meeting of the Internet Governance Forum, a five day event setup by the UN where governments, corporations etc. debate the future of the internet. Amnesty International will be taking its campaign to the IGF to show the mass disagreement of policies designed to limit our freedom of expression.
I would urge all boggers, and internet users in general, to read the attached articles and visit irrepressible.info to sign the petition and show that you are willing to stand up for your right to express your opinion. The internet connects people from all over the world regardless of race or culture and allows us to exchange information that would otherwise not be available to us. As soon as we allow authority to begin restricting this flow of information, the internet will become no more varied and interesting than television and no more informative than the average government approved media outlet. Steve Ballinger of Amnesty International is quoted in the attached BBC News article as saying "Freedom of expression online is a right, not a privilege - but it's a right that needs defending".
Relevant Links :
Pledge at Irrepressible.info
BBC News Free Speech Online 'Under Threat'
BBC News World Discusses Internet Future
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Comment by Harmony Rocks
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The ink wasn't dry yet when I read this post. I didn't comment then, because I wanted to come back to say I'd actually done something.
Went over to Irrepressible.info, signed up, put the badge on my other blogs & posted the first of many about the freedom of speech and expression issue.
If you want to read it:
http://carolyn-writehere.blogspot.com/2006/10/freedom-not-repression-1-in-series.html
Harmony
Comment by Gareth
Thanks for the support.
Did you have any problems with badge? I cant get it to work properly.
Ill check your blog out asap.
Peace
Gareth
Comment by Harmony Rocks
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When you get a chance, pop over to Living Spiritually and Head For Threads and let me know what you think.
Harmony
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
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Comment by Gareth
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I think bloggers are already having an effect, and a pretty strong one at that. The fact that blogging is mentioned sop often in the news and is affected by so many laws being passed at the moment would suggest that its becoming a part of everyday life.