EFA rebrands anti-filtering campaign as "Open Internet"

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 16 February 2010 18:16

IT Policy - Regulation

Electronic Frontiers Australia has rebranded and re-invigorated its campaign against mandatory ISP side internet filtering with a new name, Open Internet, and a new web site.

The organisation flagged the move last month saying it was not resonating with people who were not technology savvy.

Launching the new campaign EFA said: "The Open Internet campaign emphasises that Australians want an Open Internet that is free from an impractical and costly policy of Government imposed mandatory Internet filtering."

The campaign is centred around a new website, OpenInternet.com.au, blog and Facebook fan page, that EFA hopes will "act as campaign hub for all the different individuals and organisations that are campaigning against the Government's mandatory Internet filtering policy."

According to EFA's campaign manager, Peter Black, "The Open Internet campaign marks an escalation of opposition to the plan, which will continue throughout the year. Our goal is to ensure the Australian public know what they're in for.

"It's important that such a major and expensive policy gets the public scrutiny it deserves. And we believe that Open Internet portrays a positive and understandable message that will resonate with Australians who are yet to form a strong opinion on the Government's policy."

EFA has also condemned the Anonymous organisation, which has been campaigning against filtering by launching denial of service attacks on Government web sites.

"They damage the cause by playing to stereotypes of filter opponents as juveniles motivated by a desire to ensure the availability of Internet pornography," said EFA vice-chair Colin Jacobs. "They serve no purpose but to give the Government the moral high ground, and distract from arguments about the ineffectiveness of the policy and its ramifications for free speech."

Black added: "While we understand the frustrations that the Anonymous members feel, we would instead encourage people to contact their local Member of Parliament, or participate in the National Day Action activities being planned by Block the Filter and Stop Internet Censorship on 6 March."