Take Action: Stop Censorship in Jordan

the Government of Jordan  approved a draft bill amending the Press and Publications Law for the year 2012 that will include online media that would give the government unprecedented power to “blacklist” websites without a trial. It’s nothing short of a bill to create a Jordanian censorship system, and it’s moving fast.

We need your help to stop this legislation before it can undermine Internet security and censor the web.  Here are 10 things you can do right now to help us stop this from happening.

1. Sign this petition from 7oryanet.com against the Press and Publications law 2012 (it won't take mroe than 30 seconds).
2. If you work for a tech company, approach the leadership at your company and explain to them your concerns. Urge them to join you in speaking out. These companies (at the bottom of the page) already took a stand.
3. Write a blog post about the Censorship in Jordan.  Whether it’s a candid explanation of why you oppose the legislation or a discussion of the effect on human rights to protest this law, there are plenty of things to say about this scary legislation. Help us get the word out by writing articles on your own blog, your school blog, or on blogs that take guest contributors.
4. Are you an artist? Showcase the dangers of censorship through art and music, and use your art as a way of reaching people who might otherwise not know about this issue. You can make stickers, posters or patches, create a YouTube video, or hold an open-mic night around censorship.
5. Do you administer a website? Then put a banner (See: كيف أشارك) on your site protesting censorship.
6. Coordinate a teach-in or debate at your local college or community center. Invite local experts in copyright and free speech to come discuss the issue.
7. If you’re in high school, talk to your civics and media studies teachers about a class discussion on the implications of this bill.
8. If you’re in college, speak out through like-minded organizations working for digital freedom, such as Students for Free Culture or Electronic Frontier on Campus. If there isn’t a chapter at your school, start one. Then use that platform to coordinate with other students to speak out against this bill.
9. If you’re in college, set up a meeting with your college newspaper editorial board and explain the bill to them and why they should speak out about it. Work with them to write articles on the topics. Check out these examples from the University of Buffalo, University of Massachusetts, and University of Minnesota.  See more examples at the Center for Democracy and Technology's Chorus of Opposition page.
10. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Remember, these are often really short. Find out the requirements for your local paper and follow them carefully.

Got more suggestions for ways to fight ? Tell me about it through Twitter, Facebook, in an email, or add them in a comment below this post.