If we are going to write the Declaration of Internet Freedom, we should further the cause by drafting the Internet Constitution

Question

Does anybody else agree?

If so, how would you begin to draft the document?

Answer 1

Definitely agree -- though, I'd argue, in many ways, this document is much more of a Constitution than a Declaration -- even though that's what it was called.  I think the end result of this process will be much more Constitution-like than Declaration like...

Answer 2

To begin:

"We the People of the free and open Internet hereby declare our intent to stand in solid opposition to any threat to our individual liberty. Our personal Internet liberty maintains the right to privacy, open access, and free expression. As citizens of a global Internet unrestricted by geographic boundaries, we will be wary to any attempt at censorship imposed by nation-states or hacker groups.

The Internet and its people have the ability to phase out politics on a global scale. A free and open Internet champions free-flowing information for the masses. As such, the Internet contributes directly to the worldwide spread of democracy. Any government seeking to suppress Internet freedom in any way should thereby be labeled as a threat to worldwide democracy.

Article 1: Censorship does not apply to any web presence that promotes the exploitation of children in any way. Any Internet purveyor of child pornography should be dismantled without mercy by any capable institution."

 

Answer 3

I'd question whether we need it.

Correction.

Whether we should need it. Ideally all we need to do is stop treating "the internet" like it's some scary unknown evil place and just accept it as an extension of the phsical world. The same laws should apply.

I'm not sure if it would be easier or quicker to try and get people's heads round that idea than trying to promote it as a sort of virtual sovereign nation.