Thursday, May 19, 2011

G8: Protect the Net


Dear friends,

For the first time, the leaders of the G8 developed countries are going to discuss the internet’s role in society and the economy at their annual meeting next week in France. Worryingly, the French government -- which holds the G8 rotating presidency this year -- has largely shut out civil society and the interests of users like us.

Instead, the Heads of State of some of the most powerful nations are going to be advised by corporate CEOs, many of whom have paid $100,000 just for a seat at the table. From documents leaked by official invitees and our contacts with French activists, the discussions at this year’s G8 meetings are going to focus on issues like strict intellectual property enforcement instead of citizen-centered policies like net neutrality, privacy protection, and combating online censorship.

Unless we speak out now, decisions about internet policy are going to be made at the highest levels without our voices represented. Please sign this urgent petition calling on the G8 leaders to adopt sensible, citizen-centered internet policies, starting with saying NO to online censorship and the internet kill switch and YES to net neutrality and expanding internet access for all, which we’ll deliver at a press conference to the assembled world media on Monday in Paris.


In concert with other civil society organizations from around the world working towards the promotion of internet freedom, digital rights, and open communication, Access has been fighting to get press and public attention about the deals that governments and corporations are likely to strike next week.

That's why we're penning a letter to French President Sarkozy, dispatching one of our team to Paris to deliver your petition, taking part in a press conference, and educating key government representatives ahead of the meeting, but it’s going to take a global outcry to influence these key decision makers, so please sign the petition to defend our digital rights!


For internet freedom,
The Access Team

19 comments:

  1. Great post and great awareness. This is important!

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  2. Keep the internet free >:(

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  3. Interesting, I want to know where this will lead.

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  4. thanks for sharing the info!

    +followed

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  5. if they try to limit it in any way that's even somewhat intrusive, they'll have a lot of trouble on their hands

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  6. As you say do we have not a lot of informations about what is going on in their discussion. I will not sign a petition at this basis. Maybe when it comes to closer details.

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  7. An enormous NO for me on G-8. Thanks for the info :)

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  8. Big no-no. + follow

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  9. internet should be free for everyone! +follow

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  10. This is bullshit. They're trying to remove our freedom of speech and our rights to privacy. Signing AND spreading for others to sign.

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  11. This is an important issue! I'm signing and telling others to get involved!

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  12. Signed! For freedom!

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  13. Id sign to freedom.

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  14. I can't stand it. Every time they have these stupid meetings, nothing but bad news comes from them.

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  15. Signed (i'm a little bit ashamed to be french today.)

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  16. i bet their protection would turn into censorship

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