Daily Archives: August 15, 2012

In an attempt to woo so-called "Internet voters," both the Republican and Democratic parties are considering adopting official positions supporting a free and open Internet in their upcoming party platforms at their respective conventions, according to sources familiar with party platform drafting.

Earlier this year, Internet users organized massive online protests of several Congressional bills, such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which critics said would have censored certain webpages and CISPA, a cybersecurity act that may have allowed companies to share user data with the federal government. Prominent sites such as Reddit and Wikipedia went dark on January 18 to protest SOPA, which may have shown lawmakers that Internet users would fight back against legislation they thought would hinder a "free and open" Internet.

[Photos:Online SOPAProtests]

Lawmakers "were woken up by the blackout, it was a real gamechanger for them," says Rainey Reitman, activism director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit organization that fights for digital freedom. "I think that politicians are definitely starting to court the Internet vote," she adds.

Organizations such as the EFF and Demand Progress, a grassroots group fighting for Internet freedom, are beginning to gain traction with those in Washington as both parties consider taking official stances on the issue.

Kirsten Kukowski, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, said that Internet freedom and net neutrality will be among the issues discussed as the RNC decides on its official platform before this month's convention. And a source involved with drafting the Democratic National Committee platform says that early drafts included language that "advocated Internet freedom globally." The source couldn't confirm if the provision made it into the final platform.

"We heard from many people who care very passionately about a free and open Internet," he says, and that input from Internet freedom activists caused drafters to "put tougher language" in the platform.

[Four ThingsAmericansHave Learned From the SOPAFight]

Both Republicans and Democrats are in a race to capture the Internet's voting power, but if campaign donations are anything to go by, Republicans seem to have a slight lead. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 54 percent of the $4 million that Silicon Valley-based PACs have donated have gone to Republican causes and candidates. Companies that have given more to GOP PACs include Intel, Microsoft and Facebook, while Google and Oracle have given more money to Democrats.

David Segal, head of Demand Progress, which just launched a campaign to ask both RNC and DNC officials to include Internet freedom in their party platforms, says his organization has been "talking to people on both sides" about the issue.

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Democrats Consider Officially Supporting Internet Freedom; GOP to 'Discuss' Issue

AUG 15 Media practitioners are well aware that there is no government that does not wish to suppress freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the world. And there is no political party that does not wish to manipulate the media and public opinion.

You might have heard this clich a thousand times over, but I still have to mention it here. That is, there is no absolute freedom in the world, but only relative freedom.

If you understand the above-mentioned reality, you will then find it not difficult to understand why governments around the world always introduce laws to restrict freedom of the press and freedom of speech.

Originally, the formulation and adoption of any statutes in democratic countries should consider the following points:

1. Is it necessary?

2. Is it reasonable?

3. Is it urgent?

4. Have adequate consultation, discussion and debate sessions been conducted?

The answers are not absolute for the same questions.

It depends on your viewpoint and what stand you take. Take Section 114A of the Evidence Act for example; it is definitely necessary, urgent and reasonable in the eyes of the ruling coalition.

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Rights and freedom — Lim Mun Fah

15 August 2012 Last updated at 15:59 ET

Sir Chris Hoy is set to be awarded the Freedom of Edinburgh if councillors vote to approve the honour next week.

Edinburgh's Lord Provost also vowed the city would welcome home Sir Chris and other Olympic heroes despite official celebrations being in Glasgow.

It comes after SportScotland confirmed the official victory parade for Scotland's Olympians will be held in Glasgow on Friday 14 September.

Scottish athletes won a record 13 medals at the London Games.

Lord Provost of Edinburgh Donald Wilson said the capital would host its own parade for Edinburgh Olympians.

Mr Wilson said: "While I am naturally disappointed the parade for our Olympians and Paralympians will not be held in the nation's capital, I am pleased that their fantastic achievements are being celebrated.

"This does not affect Edinburgh's intention to welcome our own local Olympians and Paralympians to their home city and to show them how proud we are of their achievements."

Sir Chris won two gold medals at the Games in London to become Britain's most successful Olympian.

Councillor Steve Cardownie added: "There is no higher - or more fitting - recognition for Sir Chris than to offer him the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh."

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Hoy set for Freedom of Edinburgh

15 August 2012 Last updated at 01:01 ET By Josephine McDermott BBC News, London

A Freedom Pass entitles Londoners to free travel from the age of 62. But few exploit the potential of free travel across the entire capital, from Hillingdon to Havering, Barnet to Bromley, quite like three retired ladies.

They have set themselves the challenge of travelling on every bus route in London from end to end and blogging about it in numerical order.

Later, the self-styled "ladies who bus", Jo Hunt, 68, from Camden, north London, Mary Rees, 68, from Peckham, south London, and Linda Smither, 65, from Forest Hill, south-east London, will take the 381 bus which passes the Freedom Pass office.

They started their challenge in March 2009 and aim to complete every journey up to the number 549, plus the 600 routes which are not school buses.

Mrs Hunt, a former History teacher at Watford Girls' School, said: "It was probably my idea. I'm not a Londoner like the other two and I was completely gobsmacked how far the buses go.

"It's amazing how lovely they are."

She said she had long been intrigued by destinations such as Creekmouth and Ponders End and the question: "What would happen if you didn't get off the bus?"

But she added: "We could still be doing this on our zimmer frames."

Before they retired Mrs Smither, Mrs Hunt's sister-in-law, was a social worker in Wandsworth and Lewisham and Mrs Rees, Mrs Hunt's cousin, was a doctor in Lambeth.

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Freedom Pass trio ride 381st bus