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Censoring free speech in the secret state
The Advertiser
February 02, 2010 12:01AM

MANY regimes around the world have attempted to do the unthinkable - censor free speech. The South Australian Government appears to be one body which is going to successfully apply such suppression.

Such a draconian move should come as no surprise. In many ways, it is entirely predictable.

The State Government has long made obvious its distaste for those who disagree with its policies in any form and to any degree whatsoever.

It is indeed difficult to recall a government of any persuasion being quite so sensitive.

Amendments to the Electoral Act, which came into force on January 6 and which require all bloggers and contributors to political debate to list their real name and postcode during an election campaign, appears to be an attempt to silence public dissent and opposition to government policy  More: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/.....freabl-1225825715408

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Internet uprising overturns Australian censorship law
By Nate Anderson | Last updated February 2, 2010 11:59 AM  
The state of South Australia has a new election law that went into effect January 6, and its effect was shocking: anonymous political speech on the Internet was simply destroyed.

The law required anyone posting a political comment online during an election period to supply their real name and address or face a fine of up to AUS$1,250. The measure was grossly discriminatory—it applied only to bloggers and commenters, not to online "journals" (newspapers or magazine which are written by Real Journalists).  More: http://arstechnica.com/tech-po.....n-censorship-law.ars