One of the nice things about having started the SBN was that I have gotten to meet (mostly virtually) many security bloggers from around the world.  Some of the most prolific contributors to the content of the SBN has been the members of the Belgian Security Bloggers Network.  I received word today from one of the authors of one of the blogs, belsec, that they are under assault by the EU government.  It seems in their wisdom, the European Parliament has decided that in the interests of "media pluralism", all blog owners should declare their ownership, affiliations and status of weblog authors.

The explanatory notes of the proposed regulation says this:

In this context the report points out that the undetermined and unindicated status of authors and publishers of weblogs causes uncertainties regarding impartiality, reliability, source protection, applicability of ethical codes and the assignment of liability in the event of lawsuits.
It recommends clarification of the legal status of different categories of weblog authors and publishers as well as disclosure of interests and voluntary labelling of weblogs.

As the belsec author points out, disclosure of their identities would effectively silence their voices.  There is no first amendment freedom of speech or freedom of press constitutional right in Europe. Of course if forced to do so, the Belgian authors could take up blogs based here in the US and escape the disclosure laws of the EU, but why should they have too.  The EU is a democratic, progressive entity.  Forcing these bloggers to make their "status and identity" public should not be mandatory here.

Blogs are todays pamphlets.  Basic freedom of expression, speech and press have been protected for hundreds of years. Forcing these bloggers to identify themselves is a violation of their rights.  What would Thomas Paine and others like him think of this restriction?

If you feel that this is an unfair and unjust restriction on bloggers rights, blog about it. It is our right and to do so and we should use the medium to do so.  If you are a EU citizen write to your representative and demand that this proposed regulation does not go into effect!

Do not take your right to blog lightly.  If you don't stand up for it, it can be taken away from you.

"The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion." - Thomas Paine