[P2P-F] Fwd: [fcf_discussion] "eG8 Forum": A Smokescreen For Governmental Control Of The Net

[Michel Bauwens]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: La Quadrature du Net <jz at laquadrature.net>
Date: Wed, May 18, 2011 at 11:00 PM
Subject: [fcf_discussion] "eG8 Forum": A Smokescreen For Governmental
Control Of The Net
To: fcforum_discussion at list.fcforum.net


La Quadrature du Net - For immediate release

Permanent link:
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/eg8-forum-a-smokescreen-for-governmental-control-of-the-net


"eG8 Forum": A Smokescreen For Governmental Control Of The Net


*** Paris, May 17th, 2011 - Next week, Nicolas Sarkozy will be convening the
“eG8 forum”, just two days ahead of a G8 summit that will focus on Internet
policy. Disguised as a pseudo-consultative process, this staged show could
mask the actual will of governments to increase state control over the
Internet. Beyond the smokescreen of the “forum”, citizens must hold world
leaders accountable for their actions, and denounce the numerous ongoing
attempts at undermining our freedoms online. ***

La Quadrature du Net, along with several artist and citizen organizations,
calls on everyone to participate in creative action at http://g8internet.com
.

One of the biggest advertising agencies in the world, Publicis, has been
appointed by Nicolas Sarkozy to organize the “eG8 forum”, which will gather
an impressive cast of business actors to discuss the future of the Internet
economy. In fact, Sarkozy has stated for months his intention to use his
presidency of the G8 to impose his concept of a “civilized Internet”.

This notion, borrowed from the Chinese government, is in line with Sarkozy's
record on Internet policy [1]. Last year on the international stage, Sarkozy
also tried to impose the idea of nation-state control over the network's
architecture, playing down the importance of the Internet for freedom of
communication and democracy worldwide [2].

Recent events worldwide suggest that such an approach is gaining momentum
internationally. The Internet black-out in Egypt, the US government's
reaction to WikiLeaks [3], the ACTA agreement that will be signed during the
G8, the adoption of website blocking mechanisms and talks about a “Virtual
Schengen border” [4] in Europe, or plans for “Internet Kill Switches” are
some of the numerous examples of governments trying to take over the
Internet and its governance [5]. Citizens must react by holding their
governments accountable and ensure that the Internet remains our most
precious tool for improving societies.

“In spite of a harmless-sounding rhetoric, the 'eG8 forum' is a smokescreen
to cover the increased control of governments over the Internet. It is a
crucial moment in history when citizens have to mobilize to remain in
control of an open and universal Internet. Attempts to turn the Net into a
tool of repression and control must be opposed through every available mean
of expression and creation.” concludes Jérémie Zimmermann, spokesperson for
citizen advocacy group La Quadrature du Net.


** La Quadrature du Net, along with several artist and citizen
organizations, calls on everyone to participate in creative action at
http://g8internet.com. **



* Références *

1. In France, Sarkozy has already imposed the cutoff of citizens from the
Internet, and censorship of online content. His Minister for the Digital
Economy has called for banning WikiLeaks hosting on the French territory,
because it didn't fit within this notion of a “civilized Internet”.

2. See http://www.laquadrature.net/en/sarkozy-exports-repressive-internet

3. See
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/wikileaks-and-the-control-of-the-internet

4. http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/11/st07/st07181.en11.pdf,
point 8

5. Other examples include the new version of the COICA bill and the seizure
of domain names by the US, etc.



** About la Quadrature du Net **


La Quadrature du Net is an advocacy group that promotes the rights and
freedoms of citizens on the Internet. More specifically, it advocates for
the adaptation of French and European legislations to respect the founding
principles of the Internet, most notably the free circulation of knowledge.


In addition to its advocacy work, the group also aims to foster a better
understanding of legislative processes among citizens. Through specific and
pertinent information and tools, La Quadrature du Net hopes to encourage
citizens' participation in the public debate on rights and freedoms in the
digital age.

La Quadrature du Net is supported by French, European and international NGOs
including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Open Society Institute and
Privacy International.

List of supporting organisations :
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/they-support-squaring-net-la-quadrature-du-net


** Press contact and press room **

Jérémie Zimmermann, jz at laquadrature.net, +33 (0)615 940 675

http://www.laquadrature.net/en/press-room




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