Media Release

Electronic Frontiers Australia Inc.

Media Release                                       May 26 1999

NET CENSORSHIP MAKES AUSTRALIA THE GLOBAL VILLAGE IDIOT

Online freedom campaigners Electronic Frontiers Australia today stepped
up its campaign against Internet censorship, following the passing
of the Online Services Bill by the Senate.  Protest events will be
held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth on Friday May 28th, and 
in Adelaide on Sunday May 30th.

"The government has turned Australia into the global village idiot",
said EFA spokesperson Danny Yee.  "Canada, the United States,
and even Malaysia have taken a hands-off approach to the Internet.  
The information revolution is hurtling along - and Australia is now 
tied to the railway tracks instead of being in the driver's seat."

"This Bill is a direct attack on freedom of speech", Mr Yee continued.
"Surveys and polls show that most Australians don't want more censorship."

"However well-intentioned, this hastily cobbled together Bill won't
make the Net safe for children -- in fact it will backfire, making it more
dangerous for children rather than less."

[ENDS]

       --------------------------------------------------------------
       Electronic Frontiers Australia Inc http://www.efa.org.au/
       representing Internet users concerned about on-line freedoms
       --------------------------------------------------------------
DETAILS
         In SYDNEY, protesters will assemble in Hyde Park North (south-west
         of the fountain) for speeches.  They will then march on the
         offices of the Australian Broadcasting Authority.
         Sydney Media Contact:
           Danny Yee
           Ph:  02 9955 9898 (h)
                02 9351 5159 (w)
                0419 705 507 (Friday 28th May only)
           Email: danny.yee@efa.org.au

         In MELBOURNE a seminar "Censorship: Does It Make Sense in
         a Digital Age?" will be held from 11.00am to 1.00pm in the
         State Library.  Speakers are: 
            Victor Perton, MLA - Doncaster in Victoria; 
            Morag Fraser, Free Speech Committee; 
            Sue McKnight, Australian Library and Information
                Association, Victorian Branch President.
         This will be followed by the lunchtime rally outside the Victorian
         State Library at 1:00 pm, where various speakers will discuss
         the implications of the Bill.
         Melbourne Media Contacts:
          Jan Whitaker        jwhit@primenet.com         
          Susan Whitham       swhitham@connect.com.au

         In BRISBANE, EFA and ISPs will be holding a rally commencing at
         12.30pm in the Roma Street Forum. A number of speakers, including
         academics, political parties, civil libertarians and ISPs will
         address censorship issues.  After the rally there will be a march
         to the Commonwealth Parliamentary offices at Waterfront Place
         where it is planned that a deputation will present a resolution
         to a representative of Senator Warwick Parer in his capacity as
         Senator for Queensland for forwarding to the Prime Minister.
         Brisbane Media Contact:
          Greg Taylor:   gtaylor@gil.com.au

         In PERTH, there will be a rally and march commencing at 1.10 pm
         at the Esplanade, Barrack Street end.  Protesters will assemble
         and march to Forrest Place for 2.00 pm. At 2.00 pm there will
         be speakers on the detrimental aspects of Bill.
         Perth Media Contact:
          Kim Heitman   Phone: 08 9458 2790   kheitman@it.com.au

         In ADELAIDE, on SUNDAY May 30th, protesters will gather outside
         the State Library in North Terrace at 3.00 pm,  to 'throw another
         book on the barbie' in protest against the digital equivalent
         of book burning.  Deputy Leader of the Australian Democrats,
         Senator Natasha Stott Despoja will speak. Further details at
         http://www.ozbytes.net.au/burn/
         Adelaide Media Contact:
          Darce Cassidy    Phone: 08 8362 5183 (mobile 0412 684 178)
          Darce.Cassidy@efa.org.au

BACKGROUND

More information about events
         http://www.efa.org.au/Campaigns/may28/

EFA's campaign against Net censorship
         http://www.efa.org.au/Campaigns/stop.html

Information about censorship in Australia
         http://www.pobox.com/~rene/censor/

US senator comments on Australian censorship
         http://newswire.com.au/9905/ussen.htm

Canada decides not to regulate the Internet
         http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ENG/NEWS/RELEASES/1999/R990517e.htm

Rules now governing online speech in Australia
         http://www.oflc.gov.au/PDFs/Film%20&%20Video%20Guidelines.pdf
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