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South Australia Outlaws Anonymous Political Speech

Posted by Soulskill on from the best-of-luck-enforcing-that dept.

Sabriel writes "If you're online in South Australia and want to comment about the upcoming state election, be prepared to hand over your real name and postcode first — because this month it becomes illegal to do so anonymously (even under a pseudonym). Media organizations must keep your details on file for six months and face 'fines of $5000 if they do not hand over this information to the Electoral Commissioner.' This abomination was passed with the support of both major parties (Labour and Liberal), and to quote its sponsor, Attorney-General Michael Atkinson, 'There is no impinging on freedom of speech, people are free to say what they wish as themselves, not as somebody else.' Apparently incapable of targeting a few impostors without resorting to 'nuke it from orbit' legislative tactics, Atkinson has forgotten that protecting anonymity is important to the democratic process; hopefully both major parties will get a reminder come the polls on March 20."

4 of 352 comments (clear)

  1. They are stopping it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/victory-atkinson-loosens-gag/story-e6frea6u-1225826104175

    1. Re:They are stopping it! by mcgrew · · Score: 4, Informative

      How can you tell when a politician is lying?

      His lips are moving.

      --
      Free Martian Whores!
  2. MOD PARENT UP by TheSpoom · · Score: 4, Informative

    Attorney-General Michael Atkinson vows to repeal election internet censorship law amid reader furore

    Slashdot's a little behind today, it seems.

    --
    It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
    - E. Debs
  3. What the fuck by JoshuaZ · · Score: 4, Informative

    Ok, just finished reading TFA and in TFA they say that this law is set to expire right after the elections are over. That's such a blatant attempt to censor for specific electoral ends it isn't funny. If there were a genuine motivation here they'd have implemented it indefinitely. This doesn't seem that different than when some countries take over or close their media right before an election. Not cool.