Friday 1:44pm (20th February 2009)
NZ Political Bloggers To Blackout Websites 23 Feb. In S92A Protest..FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On Monday morning bloggers from across the political spectrum will be taking their blogs down in an "Internet Blackout" to protest the coming into force on the 28th of S92A of the Copyright Act. Scores and scores of bloggers will be taking part, including Public Address, Scoop, Kiwiblog, The Standard, No Right Turn, Frog Blog, Whale Oil, Not PC, No Minister, Just Left, The Hand Mirror, Roar Prawn, Policy Net, Kiwi Politico etc etc. Supporters of almost every political party are taking part – National, Labour, Greens, ACT, Alliance, and Libertarianz,
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To say we represent a diverse range of views is putting it mildly. Normally we disagree on everything. Even e=mc^2 can be regarded as a highly debatable proposition on our blogs.
So for us to all unite together, from across the political spectrum, to condemn S92A of the Copyright Act should send a signal as to how bad the law is. A law which can see people lose their Internet access on the basis of unproven allegations should have no place in the New Zealand statute books.
We don't care who voted for the law in the first place. We just want it stopped. We call on either Parliament to repeal that section or for the Government to delay it from coming into force on 28 February.
The normal content on our blogs will be made inaccessible on Monday morning, and our blogs will refer people to the online petition organized by the Creative Freedom Foundation.
In addition to these political blogs, thousands of other websites including Scoop News, PublicAddress.Net, Throng, GeekZone, and Street Talk are also joining the Internet Blackout.
ENDS
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
For more information please contact:Bronwyn Holloway-Smith
Director, Creative Freedom Foundation
cff@holloway.co.nz
+ 64 21 107 5747
ABOUT THE CREATIVE FREEDOM FOUNDATION
The Creative Freedom Foundation was founded in 2008 by artists and technologists Bronwyn Holloway-Smith and Matthew Holloway in response to changes in copyright law and the effect these changes are having on creativity, the economy, and public rights. The CFF represent thousands of New Zealand artists including musicians, film makers, visual artists, designers, writers, & performers.The Foundation's primary goals are:
- The education of New Zealand artists about emerging issues within New Zealand that have the potential to influence their collective creativity
- Advocacy to ensure that their views are taken into consideration, and
- The promotion and encouragement of activities that support and build the New Zealand arts community, positive relationships within that community and/or the positive wellbeing of that community.
The Creative Freedom Foundation views the internet as an opportunity for artists in New Zealand, not a threat and, through their goals, they seek to bring Copyright Law into the 21st Century.
