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History

The Digital Liberty Coalition was formed as a result of protests organised online on various message boards by anonymous users which were spun down by the media. Various members with extensive backgrounds in civil activism drew together their resouces and managed to stage protests nationally with 48 hours notice in November, 2008.

In December, more national rallies were held, with several thousand people, across all capital cities; the numerous groups and non-affiliated individuals attending discussed the common apolitical objective of keeping the internet safe from the hands of legislators and a common ideal of net neutrality and civil rights as afforded to us under international law.

Given the unwillingness of organisations to take to direct action lobbying, it was unanimously decided that a coalition was in order; drawing on the demographic cross overs and the willingness to set aside all differences for a common goal.

It is on this foundation that the DLC was founded and continues to run, with strong ties to many industries, organisations and communities.

The path forwards

Given that this is, by no means, the first instance of censorship being raised in Australia it will undoubtedly not be the last. The consensus amongst the coalition is that to move forwards we must turn to extrinsic modalities to defend civil rights in a digital world.

It is on this notion that the coalition is currently involved in Governmental consultation with the public for a legislative bill of rights in Australia. To hold Governments accountable for their actions, and ensure that all Australians retain liberty the ideal result will be a constitutional bill; in the interim a legislative bill will provide some checks and balances superior to our complete lack of rights outside those inferred within the Constitution itself.

Whilst remaining apolitical, the coalition has also noted strong support and requests that we pursue better representation within Government for the large convergent demographic that make up the netizenry of contemporary society. It is through these endeavours that the Digital Liberty Coalition seek to bring a voice to the people.