OECD Says Countries Must Promote & Protect Global Free Flow Of Info Online; Irony Alert: US Cheers This On

from the no-self-recognition dept

Thu, Dec 15th 2011 1:40am — Mike Masnick

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has put out a pretty strong statement telling members they need to "promote and protect the global free flow of information" online. All of that sounds good, but the real irony comes in the US ambassador's response to this news. She cheers it on:

�It�s really a milestone in terms of making a statement about openness,� said Karen Kornbluh, the U.S. ambassador to the O.E.C.D. �You can�t really get the innovation you need in terms of creating jobs unless we work together to protect the openness of the Internet.�

We agree absolutely with Kornbluh... but feel the need to point out that as she's saying this, the US government has just been exposed for censoring websites with no due process. Meanwhile, Congress is about to move forward with a bill to set up the Great Firewall of America, that will allow the Attorney General to create a blacklist that blocks all access to certain websites.

That seems to go exactly against what Kornbluh says. Basically, she seems to be admitting that SOPA will hinder innovation and hurt job creation by cutting back on the openness of the internet. If only others in the federal government would wake up to the impact of their dreadful plans.

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Filed Under: censorship, free speech, internet freedome, oecd, us
Companies: oecd

24 Comments

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Planespotter (profile), 15 Dec 2011 @ 2:26am

Doublethink is the ability to hold two contradictory ideas in one�s mind at the same time.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU!
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Yogi, 15 Dec 2011 @ 2:35am

Bad
So, it looks like there is an insurgency at OECD headquarters. I guess they won't be online for very long...
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athe, 15 Dec 2011 @ 3:05am

Right hand, meet left...
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anonymous, 15 Dec 2011 @ 3:32am

seems to be a case of:
'is it ok if i say one thing to keep you quiet and diverted from what is actually happening, but then do the exact opposite, as long as i dont tell you?'
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The eejit (profile), 15 Dec 2011 @ 3:36am

Re:
Or, in other words, "My paradox crumple zones are more than adequate for the necessary purposes."
-American Government.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 3:55am

You misunderstand -- the flow of information IS good, everyone knows that. It's the distribution of unauthorized content that SOPA/PIPA/Hollywood want to stop. You don't support piracy, do you?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 4:17am

Re:
"Unauthorized content" is still information, and the OECD doesn't appear to make a distinction.

I, for one, fully support the free* knowledge and free* culture movements. In fact, I have already contributed to at least two open-source projects. A very rewarding experience.

* as in, freedom
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Wig, 15 Dec 2011 @ 4:20am

Re:
Although it seems more that they hold neither idea, and just cheer along with whatever someone else says.

Entertainment Lobby: "We must censor"
US Gov: "Yea!"

OECD: "We must not censor"
US Gov: "Yea!"
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The eejit (profile), 15 Dec 2011 @ 4:44am

Re:
No, but the RIAA support terrorism. Terrorism of social mores.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 5:12am

Re:
Yeah right and I am Santa Claus.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 5:21am

Sure you're allowed to have free speech and the global flow of information online, just as long as it's the speech and information we want you to say and share.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 5:33am

Wake me up when it is time for the Revolution.
I hate this Government and I am getting sick of what has been done to my Country.
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Planespotter (profile), 15 Dec 2011 @ 5:41am

Re: Re:
After watching an hour of Lessig I'd settle with...

Although it seems more that they hold neither idea, and just cheer along with whatever pays the most.
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Ninja (profile), 15 Dec 2011 @ 5:47am

Re:
Oh yes and along with the unauthorized content just go and fuck up all the rest.

FBI guy: "Sir, there are drug dealers moving a large shipment through the US 101."
Congress: "Oh my, close down the road."
FBI guy: "Pardon me?"
Congress: "You heard, we can't afford those filthy drug dealers to go on with this scheme."
FBI guy: But sir, they can use other routes and even other means like airplanes and trains."
Congress: "O rly?"
FBI guy: "Ya rly."
Congress: "LOL Srsly?"
FBI guy: "Ya srsly."
Congress: "No wai!!! Shut down the entire transportation system and close down all routes."
FBI guy: "Roger!"
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 6:59am

Re: Re:
""Unauthorized content" is still information"

Yup, and pulling the trigger of a gun against someone's head is just "finger exercise".

See how that works?
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Hephaestus (profile), 15 Dec 2011 @ 7:22am

Re:
Of course I support piracy, the more of it there is, the faster RIAA and the MPAA will fail, and finally put an end at attempts to create horrible laws like SOPA and PIPA.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 7:24am

Re: Re: Re:
And if it was the head of a terrorist, a person would be applauded for exercising their fingers. Are you saying that we should let terrorists run amok without any repercussions? Why do you want the terrorists to win?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 8:13am

Re: Re: Re:
is "unauthorized content" illegal?

see how that works, mr hyperbole?
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 8:17am

Re:
i think you mean unauthorized _distribution_ of copyrighted content

i can distribute unauthorized content all day
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abc gum, 15 Dec 2011 @ 8:29am

Re:
"the flow of information IS good, everyone knows that"

Seems there is a need for further clarification in this area. Here is what they are probably thinking, secret interpretations etc.

The flow of information from you to them is hereby defined as good. Example: from your cellphone to their database.

The flow of information from them to you outside approved media is hereby defined as terrorist activity.

The flow of information from you to others and others to you is hereby denied.
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SomeGuy, 15 Dec 2011 @ 8:48am

Re: Re: Re:
Wow, I guess I SHOULD have added a /s on the end of my post.

Unauthorized content is still information, and it's almost impossible to make a distinction between the two -- certainly not without a massive effort, and almost certainly not in an automated way. The flow of unauthorized content is the "acceptable losses" or "collateral damage" of vigorously allowing the flow of ideas and information. Your business is not more important than freedom of speach; find some other solution to your problems.
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SomeGuy, 15 Dec 2011 @ 8:50am

Re: Re:
Nuke the planet from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Dec 2011 @ 8:52am

Re:
Wake me up when it is time for the Revolution.

Dude, you're already late!
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SailingCyclops (profile), 15 Dec 2011 @ 9:47am

Re: Piracy
> You don't support piracy, do you?

That all depends on your definition of piracy. I do not accept the term as defined by the MAFFIA. I do not approve of locking up our culture under the guise of copyright for the purpose of pure greed. Copyright law has gone wild; Micky Mouse is still copyrighted! That's INSANE! See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Pirates -- as is a lot of our culture.

Copyright was designed to give temporary exclusivity to creators, and then the creation was supposed to pass into the public domain. "Piracy" is merely a reaction to the perversion of copyright.
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