Italian bloggers’ silent protest

Italian bloggers went on strike in July to protest against government measures that they claim could kill the internet. They say the Alfano decree restricts the rights of bloggers to express their opinions without fear of comeback.

Demonstrators online and on the streets say the Italian government is trying to muzzle the internet.

If the Alfano decree becomes law, it would put websites on a par with newspapers, giving a right to reply to anyone who believes their reputation has been damaged by something published on the internet.

But critics say the law is so archaic it barely works in print. Apply it online and it could kill free speech on the internet.

Hefty fines

Alessandro Gilioli, a journalist and organiser of the blogging strike, says the measures could deter people from going online.

“They are discouraging the use of the internet, forcing all the bloggers to rectify any opinion that anybody thinks is hurting his honour or reputation and they are creating big fines, more than €10,000 (£8,500), if you don’t publish your rectification in two days.

“So that means that if a teenager stays two days away from the computer and he doesn’t rectify his opinion, he is going to pay €10,000.

“That’s stupid and that’s incredible and overall that’s discouraging people to use the internet.”

The planned rules are not just about correcting factual errors. They give anyone who feels their reputation has been damaged by an opinion the right to have their side heard within 48 hours.

The essence of blogging is that anyone with an opinion on almost anything can share it with everyone, which is why there are so many trenchant views out there.

So much so that most bloggers would dismiss as laughable an obligation to give a right to reply to anyone or any entity they criticise. [BBC]

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