Manifesto: «In defense of fundamental rights on the Internet»

A group of journalists, bloggers, professionals and creators want to
express their firm opposition to the inclusion in a Draft Law of some
changes to Spanish laws restricting the freedoms of expression,
information and access to culture on the Internet. They also declare
that:

1 .- Copyright should not be placed above citizens’ fundamental rights,
as to privacy, security, presumption of innocence, effective judicial
protection and freedom of expression.

2 .- Suspension of fundamental rights is and must remain an exclusive
competence of judges. This blueprint, contrary to the provisions of
Article 20.5 of the Spanish Constitution, places in the hands of the executive
the power to keep Spanish citizens from accessing certain websites.

3 .- The proposed laws would create legal uncertainty across Spanish IT
companies, damaging one of the few areas of development and future of
our economy, hindering the creation of startups, introducing barriers
to competition and slowing down its international projection.

4 .- The proposed laws threaten creativity and hinder cultural development. The
Internet and new technologies have democratized the creation and
publication of all types of content, which no longer depends on an old
small industry but on multiple and different sources.

5 .- Authors, like all workers, are entitled to live out of their
creative ideas, business models and activities linked to their
creations. Trying to hold an obsolete industry with legislative
changes is neither fair nor realistic. If their business model was based
on controlling copies of any creation and this is not possible any
more on the Internet, they should look for a new business model.

6 .- We believe that cultural industries need modern, effective,
credible and affordable alternatives to survive. They also need to adapt
to new social practices.

7 .- The Internet should be free and not have any interference from
groups that seek to perpetuate obsolete business models and stop the
free flow of human knowledge.

8 .- We ask the Government to guarantee net neutrality in Spain, as it
will act as a framework in which a sustainable economy may develop.

9 .- We propose a real reform of intellectual property rights in order
to ensure a society of knowledge, promote the public domain and limit
abuses from copyright organizations.

10 .- In a democracy, laws and their amendments should only be adopted after
a timely public debate and consultation with all involved parties.
Legislative changes affecting fundamental rights can only be
made in a Constitutional law.

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