(Exceptions: Journo’s & Law students)

We need a way to become credentialed as Inrerner journo’s,
in a way that allows us to freely take notes in interesting
court proceedings.

Who would want people NOT to take notes?

Accuracy of one’s understanding would be
enhanced, just as memory errors be reduced,
if this limitation could be removed.

Freedom to view & listen, but not be in a position
to ACCURATELY recount for any others (who can’t
get to the court, eg, due to work or family commit-
ments) is a BROKEN FREEDOM.

We need to change this, to INCREASE OUR FREEDOM.

(In Sweden, a party to a case can even RECORD
the proceedings they’re involved in.)

“An open society

Swedish laws and rights protect openness, equality and tolerance. This includes freedom of the press, the right to take part in demonstrations, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, same-sex marriage, the opportunity to move freely in the countryside and the right to question those in power. Sweden aims to be an equal society where everyone is welcome.

A free press pioneer

In 1766, Sweden implemented the world’s first freedom of press act. Then and today, Swedish citizens who provide publishers, editors and news agencies with information are entitled to so-called source protection, or anonymity protection, meaning journalists can never be forced to reveal their sources.
Exchanging ideas

Outside the media, there is also freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate, both of which are intended to secure a free exchange of views, information and artistic creativity. With between 10,000 and 15,000 Swedish blogs today, it seems that Swedish residents definitely take advantage of their freedom of expression.

To ensure a civil public discourse, Swedish laws protect groups and individuals against hateful or discriminatory speech.
Transparent governance

The principle of public access (offentlighetsprincipen) means that the general public and the mass media have access to official records. This grants Swedish citizens insight into the activities of government and local authorities. Those who work for the government are free to share their knowledge and information with the media or public, which helps create a transparent and accountable system between the people and the state.
Nature — a universal right

Public access extends to nature as well. The Swedish right of public access (allemansrätten) gives people the freedom to roam and camp on privately owned land, as long as care and consideration are given to nature, animals, landowners and other people. The Swedish National Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) summarizes this right with the phrase “no disturbing — no destroying.”

Learn more about the right of public access
Accessibility for all

Swedish disability policies make sure that people with disabilities also have the opportunity to exercise their rights as citizens, and to fulfill their obligations. Buses are equipped for wheelchairs, crosswalks give audible signals for the blind, and children with disabilities are encouraged to attend compulsory school in specially designed classes provided in the same school as other children. Almost all people with disabilities in Sweden live in their own homes, and the majority of children with disabilities grow up at home with their own families.
Marriage rights and equality

On May 1, 2009, same-sex marriages were legalized in Sweden. A few months later, the Church of Sweden also showed its support. Gay and lesbian couples have been permitted to have registered partnerships in Sweden since 1995, but people in same-sex marriages now have the same legal status as people in heterosexual marriages and can also choose to get married in church. A majority of the Swedish population supported this movement.”

http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Work/Swedish_model/An-open-society/

(Even individual taxable incomes are published – eg, in a book, available in public libraries.)

The Atty Gen’l has only said that they intend to if re-elected.
(Logic seems to be: We’ve just visited it & can’t re-visit it “in time”
but – now that we’ve aroused your passions about it -
we’ll repeal it after the election… Elect & “trust us”!
Not very encouraging…)

SA media reported that the law applies for the coming election.

Remember: SA Gov’t has laws that make it unlawful to associate
with the bikie gangs, that they deem unlawful; imaging sibblings
or long-time friends – NOT involved in crime – who had good rela-
tions with bikie gang members BEFORE the law was brought in;
they’ve become offenders, or would, if they associate now.

Civil Rights struck down by SA Gov’t.

Swedes enjoy freedoms, that SA Gov’t fear to extend
to its own citizens & residents.

Past is Prologue…

1. AU & SA: Once colonists, always beholden to modern
counterparts. -vs-

2. Sweden: Once free & independent of rule by monarchs,
always free. Happily, their freedoms continue to pass
from generation to generation.

IT’S TIME TO DEMAND THAT AU & SA GOV’T PROVIDE
WORLD BEST FREEDOMS, & DROP OBSOLETE LAWS
LEFT OVER FROM AU’s COLONIAL ERA.

Quite simply, we need a Bill of Rights to both
protect our freedom to be anonymous as we will and
to speak our minds without limitation.

Sweden has the best law on this:

“The Freedom of the Press Act”

A Summary:

“The right to publish a newspaper without having the contents monitored in advance by any government agency is one example of freedom of the press. The Freedom of the Press Act serves to safeguard freedom of speech in printed form.

It gives all individuals a fundamental right to express their opinions and disseminate them without prior censorship. The right of free access to official documents is also enshrined in the Freedom of the Press Act. This means that anyone is entitled to contact a public authority or agency in Sweden and request access to an official document, such as a decision it has made. An individual who makes such a request does not need to give his name or specify the purpose of his request.

Another principle contained in the Freedom of the Press Act is the freedom to communicate information. According to this principle, all persons in Sweden are entitled to communicate to the press information that they consider important and necessary to make public. The publisher of the material is not entitled to reveal the source if the individual in question wishes to remain anonymous. It is a punishable offence for anyone, for example the head of a public agency, to try to find out who has leaked information to the media.

Sweden’s first Freedom of the Press Act was introduced as early as 1766.”

http://www.riksdagen.se/templates/R_Page____8908.aspx

Read the full-text version of the Freedom of the Press Act:

http://www.riksdagen.se/templates/R_Page____6313.aspx

THEN… START DEMANDING “WORLD BEST” IN AU.
(AU’s gov’t once introduced the GST with that reason)

Oh god.

That, and I might need a lawyer ;)

Clearly the law is unworkable and impractical in the internet age. It will be interesting to see if they repeal it, the same way the South Australian Government did.