Last week, Sérgio Amadeu published an excellent text about the Brazilian National Conference of Communication and in the text, he lists what he considers the rights of citizens in communication through digital networks.
On past weekend, I met with him and some friends, and agreed that the drafting of a statement like this is very important, because through it, we can express a number of concepts that define the world of free (as in freedom) communication on the Internet that we fight both to build and maintain.We also agree that this statement should not necessarily be only Brazilian, but it could be adopted (and therefore developed with the assistance) of communities around the world.
For this reason, I am posting here on my blog to the original statement (written by Sergio Amadeu), making the appropriate changes to allow it to be used worldwide (and not only in Brazil).
During the next 15 days (until October 6th), we kindly ask that you disseminate this statement and to submit through comments on this blog post your suggestions for amendments or additions. Thereafter, we’ll consolidate all contributions received and disclose the final version of the document.
Let’s build together a statement of the digital world that we want to live, and based on it, we can face the threats to our freedom that are emerging in our legislative houses.
CITIZENS’ RIGHTS ON COMMUNICATION IN DIGITAL NETWORKS:
Everyone has the right to access the Internet regardless of income, class, creed, race, color, sexual orientation, without physical or cultural discrimination
All Internet users has the right to full accessibility, regardless physical or cognitive difficulties they may have.
Everyone has the right to open their networks and share their internet signal, wired or wireless.
All citizens have the right to non-monitored communication.
Every Internet user has the right to free navigation, anonymously, without interference, and without his digital trail being identified and stored by corporations, governments or others, without his authorization.
Every interactant has the right to share files through P2P networks without any corporation filtering or defining what he should or should not communicate.
Every citizen has the right to don’t have his computer invaded, or his data violated by crackers, corporations, or DRM mechanisms.
Everyone has the right to copy files through the network to his own fair and non-commercial use.
Every citizen has the right to access public information on Internet sites without discrimination of operating system, Internet browser or computer platform used.
Everyone has the right to write on blogs and social networking with his own name, nick name or anonymously.
Every blogger has the right to accept or refuse anonymous comments, without being responsible for their content.
I look forward to contributions from you.
September 22nd, 2009 - 6:23 pm
[…] http://homembit.com/2009/09/declaration-of-communication-rights.html a few seconds ago from Gwibber […]
September 22nd, 2009 - 6:30 pm
[…] O texto também está disponível em espanhol e inglês. […]
September 22nd, 2009 - 7:45 pm
All fairly inoffensive apart from this one: “Everyone has the right to copy files through the network to his own fair and non-commercial use.”
Everyone has the right to engage in commerce, to exchange their labour in a free market, so the ‘non-commercial’ qualifier is invalid.
September 23rd, 2009 - 2:04 pm
[…] Declaration of Communication Rights Last week, Sérgio Amadeu published an excellent text about the Brazilian National Conference of Communication and in the text, he lists what he considers the rights of citizens in communication through digital networks. […]
September 24th, 2009 - 3:02 am
Thank you for thinking of Network Freedom. This is a very important right on which many other rights, such as Software Freedom, academic freedom, public education and freedom of speech, depend. Without freedom of speech and education all other rights are quickly lost. I agree with your assertions and would like to make a few helpful suggestions.
First, I’d like to point out how technically practical universal network access is. David Reed has done a lot good research on Open Spectrum and proves that the best spectrum allocation is to allow everyone whatever they want within a modern radio framework. Spectrum is both publicly owned and limitless. Each day the public is kept from the airwaves is a crime. No one should have to beg a government telco monopoly or other large company for access to the electronic commons and we already own the means to liberate ourselves.
Second, the language of the US Bill of Rights can serve as inspiration. Privacy, for example, is well expressed by the fourth amendment:
This is a beautiful and economical statement. It can be translated into communications terms as, “Government shall not monitor, store or hamper private communications without a place and time specific warrant, based on probable cause presented under oath in a public court of law. Unauthorized private monitoring and commerce in private information shall be prohibited.” Industry acronyms and propaganda terms should be avoided. DRM, for example, might be mentioned but described as Digital Restrictions.
I enjoy the positive assertions of your declaration. Thanks again for taking action for something that is good for everyone.
November 14th, 2009 - 4:02 am
[…] Declaration of Communication Rights | void life(void) Everyone has the right to access the Internet regardless of income, class, creed, race, color, sexual orientation, without physical or cultural discrimination All Internet users has the right to full accessibility, regardless physical or cognitive difficulties they may have. Everyone has the right to open their networks and share their internet signal, wired or wireless. All citizens have the right to non-monitored communication. Every Internet user has the right to free navigation, anonymously, without interference, and without his digital trail being identified and stored by corporations, governments or others, without his authorization. Every interactant has the right to share files through P2P networks without any corporation filtering or defining what he should or should not communicate. Every citizen has the right to don’t have his computer invaded, or his data violated by crackers, corporations, or DRM mechanisms. (tags: codeofconduct blogger communicationrights internet) […]