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SkyNet just around the corner?

Hands up all those who remember the attempt to create "Sealand", an independent sovereign cybercountry which was to be physically located on a dis-used sea fort in the North Sea, some 10 miles off the coast of England.

The whole rational behind Sealand was to create a totally independent sovereign state where internet servers and services could be hosted without fear of falling under the control and regulation of existing nations.

In theory, it was a great idea and would have effectively sidestepped many of the problems that have since plagued the thorny issue of legislating to control the Net.

However, I suspect that even if it had received the support it deserved, this tiny hub of internet freedom would have already been stormed by crack US Navy Seals and its inhabitants spirited away to some clandestine prison.

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Freedom, a commodity in short supply

We pride ourselves on living in a nation that has one of the lowest levels of corruption in the world and in which our press enjoys the kinds of freedoms that are essential in a modern democracy.

Unfortunately -- if you believe that, you're living in the past.

Recent reports indicate that the freedom of the NZ press has taken a real knock of late, causing us to slip out of the "top 10" group for press freedom.

The exposure of nasty, self-interested activities conducted by our politicians and other officials also gives our "corruption-free" reputation a hammering.

But NZ is not alone... both the USA and the UK have also slid down the rankings of press freedom.

What on earth is going on here?

Surely, as we become a more enlightened society, press freedoms ought to be increased or at least maintained -- not curtailed.

And is there a connection between the rising levels of official corruption and the falling levels of press freedom? You'd have to be naive if you didn't join the dots here.

The bottom line would have to be that as our politicians find themselves with more to hide, it's only natural that they're going to seek to place greater restrictions on the activities of the press -- so as to protect themselves from public scrutiny.

And could there also be a link to the sudden and dramatic increase in efforts to restrict, control and censor the internet?

I think it's time we started asking questions.

Have your say in the Aardvark Forums.

Forums Are UP!

Woohoo.. better late than never (I hope).

I'm afraid you'll have to re-register and there are bound to be issues but at last we can get the discussions going again. Remember the word "aardvarkrox" when you go sign up.

The Aardvark forums.

And yes... the Sci-Tech headlines links are updated again today with some great stories!

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