G8: Protect the net

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Global movement for digital freedom ACCESS is warning about possible outcomes of the G8 (group consisting of leaders of developed counties - France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Russia) meeting to be held in France on 26 and 27 May 2011. Among other things, the G8 is going to discus the internet's role in society and the economy. Prior to this meeting, a so-called e-G8 meeting was held on 24 and 25 May and according to ACCESS report, discussion of strict intellectual property enforcement and heavy-handed government regulation of the internet dominated at the opening of the e-G8, despite pushback from many of the attendees.

Instead of promoting net neutrality and user privacy and combating onlne censorship, the French government has locked civil society out of these conversations, while inviting CEOs -- some of whom paid $100,000 for their seat at the table -- who are pushing policies like strict intellectual property enforcement, which will line corporate pockets while curtailing our digital rights.

Unless we speak out now, decisions about internet policy are going to be made at the highest levels without our voices represented. Please sign this urgent petition calling on the G8 to adopt citizen-cantered internet policies.

The petition reads the following:

Dear President Sarkozy and other G8 Leaders,
We urge you to publicly commit to citizen-cantered policies like expanding internet access for all, combating digital censorship and surveillance, limiting online intermediary liability, and upholding principles of net neutrality.

Sign the petition here.

Please also post this link on Facebook:
https://www.accessnow.org/page/s/G8-Protect-the-Net

Or tweet this: Thousands rallying to protect internet from #eG8 and #G8.
Join now by signing @accessnow petition http://bit.ly/ix7Skd