“Is intended to rally everyone in support of a single Internet that is unrestricted and accessible to all. It is also meant to draw attention to the fact that, by creating new spaces for exchanging ideas and information, the Internet is a force for freedom. However, more and more governments have realised this and are reacting by trying to control the Internet.”

Today, the Netizen award ceremony was held and the prize was given to the Iranian website Change For Equality. This website brings attention to victims of sexual discrimination in Iran and aims to change existing discriminatory laws. Change For Equality is a champion of free speech and the rights of individuals. I hope you all take a moment tomorrow to consider the opportunities and tools that the internet has provided in promoting the free exchange of ideas. Let us not take it for granted. Keep the internet free and open.

If you’d like to do more for the cause of Online Free Speech and Anti-Censorship, consider supporting the organizations below:

• WikiLeaks.org – Releases censored materials not found in traditional media due to government censorship
• Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) – Defender of online rights and privacy
• Global Network Initiative – A collaborative approach to protect and advance freedom of expression and privacy
• Cryptome.org – Releases documents for publication that are prohibited by gov-coms worldwide, in particular material on freedom of expression, privacy, cryptology, dual-use technologies, national security, intelligence, and secret gov-com complicity