Saturday 27 September 2008

EU Regulation of Blogs: attempt to ban anonymous blogging

Hat-tip to Valleys Mam for drawing this to the attention of the Welsh blogosphere, and to Debacle for the original blog coverage:

Marianne Mikko, an Estonian centre-left MEP, is concerned that growing numbers of blogs are being used by individuals with "malicious intentions or hidden agendas".

"The blogosphere has so far been a haven of good intentions and relatively honest dealing. However, with blogs becoming commonplace, less principled people will want to use them," she said.

Mrs Mikko has proposed that bloggers should be required to identify themselves and that some popular blogs should come with a declaration of interests.

"We do not need to know the exact identity of bloggers. We need some credentials, a quality mark, a certain disclosure of who is writing and why. We need this to be able to trust and rely on the source," she said.

Chris Heaton Harris, a British Conservative Euro MP, has rejected any moves to "regulate and restrict independent media sources".

"Mrs Mikko obviously does not understand that blogs have become the life blood of a vibrant democracy," he said.

"I hope these proposals are kicked out."

Thursday's vote in the European Parliament is not legally binding but is an indicator of growing EU concern over the influence of blogs on the internet.

A recent internal European Commission report, leaked three weeks ago, found that the EU was losing the battle for hearts and minds online.

"Blog activity remains overwhelmingly negative," it said.

14 comments:

Crushed 27 September 2008 at 16:08  

Speaking as an anonymous blogger, all I can say is they can legislate all they like.

I'd like to see them try it.

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 00:39  

POLITICAL DOUBLE-SPEAK

Anonymous blogging should be just that!

I will defend your right to blog anonymously!

Meanwhile, if I can take a register of everyone pressent ...

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 00:44  

THIS IS YOUR WAG CAPTAIN SPEAKING

U are free to blog 'anonymously' just as soon as we have all your details, and don't forget to show ID at the door and sign in at the sign-in desk. Thank you for your cooperation.

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 00:55  

Those caught blogging anonymously will not be taken to the deepest, darkest areas of Cathays Park and repeatedly hit over the head with a registered file until dead.

THAT IS JUST A WICKED RUMOUR!!!

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 03:16  

All Anonymous Bloggers to be flogged to an inch, no a millimetre, of their lives. (WAG members excluded).

BY ORDER OF THE GREAT COUNCIL

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 03:23  

Seventy Vestal Virgins Await Every Anonymous Blogger

BY ORDER OF THE GREAT COUNCIL

Unknown 28 September 2008 at 07:35  

Ironically Marianne Mikko was a journalist until 2004, prior to becoming MEP, she specialised in foreign and security policy (2003-2004) as editor in chief of 'Diplomaatia', monthly.

In addition she is a substitute, whatever that might be, to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Irony indeed.

And of course she would like us to be silent and curled at her feet.

Miss Wagstaff 28 September 2008 at 10:07  

Stonemason, sounds like poacher turned gamekeeper to me.

Anonymous, I wouldn't know what to do with seventy vestal virgins - unless they can cook and clean :)

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 10:24  

Suggest you view Peter Black's blog on John Le Carre comments recently in the Telegraph.

http://peterblack.blogspot.com/2008/09/getting-angry.html

There should be no love, other than the love of Big Brother.

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 10:26  

Uses of Vestal Virgins:

See Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestal_Virgin

Miss Wagstaff 28 September 2008 at 13:36  

Just been told by Mr Campbell "Happy that the EU Blog Censorship stuff has been pushed back. I have no doubt that they will be back with their rules and regulations."

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 13:39  

They are coming back , itsalready been re adgendered

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 17:29  

I wonder are the EU taking tips from the Welsh Assembly Government on this :)

Anonymous 28 September 2008 at 17:30  

P.S. someone's having a go at you on Valley's Mam's blog again.

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