Saturday August 11, 2012

Activists call on users to stage Internet ‘blackout’

PETALING JAYA: Civil society activists are urging Internet users to go on a one-day “blackout” in protest of the recently passed amendment to the Evidence Act.

The Centre for Independent Journalism has called on netizens to go offline on Aug 14 to show their displeasure with the amendment that would automatically presume guilt on Internet users for offensive postings.

However, knowing that it would be almost impossible to disconnect oneself in this digital age, the centre said Internet users could also change their profile pictures on Twitter or Facebook to the symbol protesting against the amendment.

If they have a website or a blog, they can also upload a pop-up on their website to rally their visitors against the amendment.

CIJ coordinator Abigail de Vries said the campaign named “Stop 114A” referred to the section under the Act, which came into force on July 31.

The centre, with other activists, had previously handed a petition to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's department Datuk V. K. Liew calling on the Government to withdraw the amendment.

Under the new Section 114(a) of Act, people are deemed to be the author of any offending posting if it has their identity on it or if it originated from their Internet account and device, unless proven otherwise.

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