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in america, we have this awesome thing where people are allowed to express their opinions whether you think they're batshit insane or not.

i'd rather not have someone else decide which opinions are worthy of expression, as someday it may be my opinion that isn't popular.

Funny thing is, we do so over here too (ref Article 100), without having the need for designated 'free speech zones' (rather, the whole country is one). We do however realize that allowing people to publicly promote hatred, unrest and in general stirring up a shit storm is a Bad Thing.

And while Norway grants you the right to mean whatever you like, that does not give you a charte blance to break the laws... and inciting hatred on basis of gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual preference is most assuredly illegal (fines and/or jail).

To put things into perspective: Neo-Nazis, Communists and other far out groups routinely apply for, and is granted, permission to demonstrate (a minor police matter, usually granted within the hour by the local police). The WBC would most likely be denied one, since having them demonstrate would most likely lead to a breach of the public peace - ie: the WBC breaking the law...

Actually we've had this kind of filtering for years now here in Norway and most ISPs are connected to the filter run by the national police. It's easy to get around it of course if you know how.

The other thing is of course the filter does not work the way it's supposed to! Lots of people have reported on internet forums and newspaper debates that their legitimate surfing has incurred the wrath of The Filter. Some of the just reported that legal porn sites were included. It's not like we feel sorry for them.

But the principles of free speech versus censorship should obviously be considered very important! They are central values in our constitution as well. But wouldn't you know it? The public does not know, care and did't get to vote on it. Welcome to democracy!

Man, I don't know why you flipped on me dude, I didn't even side with anyone, you can't deny that a prison has criminals though...I even admitted the wrongdoings of the corporation....could it be you can't get over yourself? I mean what you've said just now is, how you say, "dumb"... Anyway, If I am dumb, you're just a total prick bro. I've obviously struck a nerve with you, sad to see your defense mechanisms out like this, I am quite embarrassed for you, sir. ...I jsut don't understand, I didn't say ANYthing but that guilty until proven innocent stuff is bogus, and that Guantanamo isn't the hyped up sensation you believe it to be, I know you want instant "humanitarian points" for speaking out against these outrages, but I really am grateful that I am impervious to that bonehead path of smug self-satisfaction. Good day.

Too bad we can't say the same thing about their TV-streaming. It's actually quite strange that the goverment talks about open standards, but when asked to supply the webstreams in an open format they refused, sticking with a Microsoft format: Reply from goverment on this issue.

Of course, nobody really expects much from our culture minister Valgerd... Currently holding the rank of our countries most unpopular minister.

The case was mentioned in "spørretimen" ("question hour") in the Norwegian parliament.

For the Norwegian speaking, read this. Search for DVD.

Here is a quick translation.


Erik Solheim (SV): This question is for the Minister of Culture.

When a 16 year old on a small farm in Vestfold is capable of breaking the codes that the big international industry has made to protect DVD-records, then I believe that most people would consider that it is the big international industry that has a problem.

I have a very unpleasant feeling that Økokrim has too much time on their hands (don't have enough to do) when they involve themselves in a case like this.

I am ofcourse not asking the minister of culture or the ministry to overrule Økokrim, but I would like for the minister of culture to tell the parliament if she is going to initiate a review of the laws related to Internet and modern entertainment industry, to see if the laws that ensure freedom of speech and democracy are strong enough, and to see if the current application of these laws is sufficient in this context.

Until now, the Internet has been very democratic, but the forces that want to put the Internet under
strong commercial control and traditional power structures are strong, and this has to be avoided.


Minister Åslaug Marie Haga:

...important case ...,

I am unable to comment on this spesific case as it is being investigated by the police at this point.

This is generally an important area, which we are currently looking at. And not only in Norway, but also in the EU-system. Work is going on in the European Union to develop a directive that covers how we are going to handle "opphavsrett" (IP ownership, etc) in the information (digital)
society.

....have to balance the needs of IP ownership on one side, and the public on the other side. ....this is international work that we are following closely...


Erik Solheim:

We all acknowledge that IP ownership has to be maintained, and that this is a central problem (large, important area).

But there are three other areas (matters of concern) that are equally important:

The democratic problem - how to make the technology available and usable for the largest
number of people.

It is in the interest of the consumers to avoid unneccesary monopolies in the new markets (areas) of information technology.

It is also a 3rd world problem - to ensure that this technology is made available to countries outside the core markets of the large industry.

These concerns have to be considered very important when we determine how much IP should be protected [in the digital world].

I would like to know when the minister is able to return to the parliament with more information concerning these matters. ....



Åslaug Marie Haga:

The area of democracy, publicity (public access?) and availability is one of the conflict areas in the EU directive that is presently under development. .. there are elements that we think will limit public access, the directive is currently protecting the IP owners too much, at the expense of the public. Our task is to find a balance. ...

I find it natural to address the parliament again concerning these matters when the directive has been hashed out more in the EU system. ... ...

I'm sure that's a Good Thing.