Global Internet Freedom Act

The Committee to Protect Bloggers is discussing U.S. Congressman Christopher Cox's bill called the Global Internet Freedom Act, introduced in 2002.

The Act's purpose is "to adopt an effective and robust global Internet freedom policy" and "to establish an office within the International Broadcasting Bureau with the sole mission of countering Internet jamming and blocking by repressive regimes." Here is a summary of the bill:

The Bill is H.R.5524
Title: To develop and deploy technologies to defeat Internet jamming and censorship.
Sponsor: Rep Cox, Christopher [CA-47] (introduced 10/2/2002) Cosponsors (1)
Latest Major Action: 10/2/2002 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.SUMMARY AS OF:
10/2/2002--Introduced.

Global Internet Freedom Act - Establishes in the International Broadcasting Bureau the Office of Global Internet Freedom to develop and implement a comprehensive global strategy to combat state-sponsored and state-directed Internet jamming and persecution of those who use the Internet. Requires an annual report from the Office to Congress on the status of state interference with Internet use and of U.S. efforts to counter such interference.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should: (1) denounce governments that restrict, censor, ban, and block access to information on the Internet; (2) direct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations to submit a resolution condemning such actions; and (3) deploy technologies aimed at defeating state-directed Internet censorship and the persecution of those who use the Internet. FULL TEXT

It appears the bill is stuck in the House Committee on International Relations. Write Congressman Cox, and members of the International Relations committee and ask them to support the bill and hold hearings soon.

Attention Iranian Readers: Until then, AnonBlog just posted a second draft of its guide to anonymous internet blogging.