not the motorcycle diaries

Bloggers beware. According to an article in this month’s Investigate magazine* we are (perhaps predictably) at risk of having the long arm of the state reach into our free-wheeling, joyous spaces of debate, discussion, critique, and mundane observation.

Under a proposal being seriously considered by the Tasmanian Special Minister of State (one that will probably be introduced in the same blink-and-you-miss-it special package of draconian legislation being prepared for the oh-so-democratic moment when the Coalition gains control of the Senate on July 1), the Commonwealth Electoral Act will be amended to extend its powers of persecution against anyone who publishes any form of unauthorised political advertising. The amendment is aimed directly at bloggers who publish comment on the performance of political parties and Members of Parliament, and who can’t be identified due to our pesky penchant for publishing our work anonymously. Under the amendment, bloggers would have to register their blog and provide a name and address to avoid being charged with unauthorised political advertising.

*Investigate* suggests that this proposal has come about because of the growing influence of bloggers on electoral outcomes and policy debates (heaven help us if people are getting information and perspectives from sources other than our transparent and disinterested Government and our diverse and equitable mainstream media!). Even people like
John Howard would be in the firing line.

Hopefully this is all too ridiculous to become possible, but Coalition policy to date would suggest otherwise. Keep an eye out, comrades.

*see April 2005 edition, article entitled “Nowhere to Hide” by Jameses Morrow and Robertson.