[liberationtech] Fwd: Keep Malaysia's internet open

[Kenneth Lipp]

Forwarding this from Access Now. Wondering if anyone has heard more about
it, and also curious if anyone is aware of effective mitigation techniques
accessible to the public (in the event that *awareness raising lacks
efficacy)?


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Access Now <access at accessnow.org>
Date: Thu, May 2, 2013 at 8:03 PM
Subject: Keep Malaysia's internet open
To: Kenneth Lipp <kenneth.lipp at gmail.com>


**



During elections, an informed citizen is the most powerful actor. In
countries where the media is controlled by governments, the internet is
often the most important source of information, and state authorities have
many incentives to *filter, throttle, or block the internet.*

*That's what's happening in Malaysia right now.* On Sunday, Malaysians will
vote in their 13th election since independence. But since the election was
announced last month, news sites have been taken offline by massive cyber
attacks, and local internet service providers are selectively blocking
access to key news and opposition sites that report what the mainstream
media do not.

Don’t let the Malaysian government filter or throttle the internet. Tell
them the world is watching. Add your name to a global petition
here.<https://www.accessnow.org/page/m/3717cc4e/13ae76c7/7317e223/1de626dd/1753991700/VEsC/>

We’re seeing this trend around the globe: Announce elections. Begin cyber
attacks. Keep citizens in the dark.

But, the good news: *Malaysia is one of the only countries in the world
where a free and open internet is mandated by law,* and the country’s
independent Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has
intervened before to stop political interference with the internet.

Let the Commission hear from you: Tell them to take all necessary steps to
keep the Malaysian internet open. Add your name to a global petition here.
<https://www.accessnow.org/page/m/3717cc4e/13ae76c7/7317e223/1de626dd/1753991700/VEsD/>

An elected government is accountable to its people and has to do everything
possible to ensure the free flow of information, especially during
elections. *Governments have an obligation to keep networks open and free.*

Malaysia’s popular independent online news site, Malaysiakini, is one of
the sites that has been targeted with attacks during the last few weeks.
Its CEO and co-founder said:

*"Our biggest fear is that access to Malaysiakini will be blocked on Sunday
night. The authorities need to understand that once accurate information is
cut off, rumours will take over, and the situation can become untenable.
With updated reports from the online media as well as traditional media,
voters are more likely to keep calm and will not believe provocative
rumours."*

*We believe that access to the Internet is an emerging human right--and we
stand up for people everywhere whose access is threatened.* We need your
help to send a global message to the Commission that we are in solidarity
with the internet and the Malaysian people.

Demand the Malaysian internet stays free and open when citizens need it
most. Add your name here.
<https://www.accessnow.org/page/m/3717cc4e/13ae76c7/7317e223/1de626dd/1753991700/VEsA/>

For an open internet,

The Access Team
 ------------------------------

*Access defends and extends the digital rights of users at risk around the
world. By combining tech-driven policy, user engagement, and direct
technical support, we fight for open and secure communications for all. To
help protect the internet around the world, you can donate to
Access<https://www.accessnow.org/page/m/3717cc4e/13ae76c7/7317e223/1de626dc/1753991700/VEsB/>.
To
reply, please email info at accessnow.org. **To unsubscribe, go to: **
https://www.accessnow.org/unsubscribe<https://www.accessnow.org/page/m/3717cc4e/13ae76c7/7317e223/1de626df/1753991700/VEsO/>
*
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