Primary Contact Name
Describe your project
1) Banned Books Project: Celsius 233--some 1,500 books have been banned officially or self-censored unofficially in Thailand. FACT wishes to scan many of the relevant and historical titles to make them available as a public, searchable, mirrored library in an uncensored country. 2) Virtual Private Network (VPN)--FACT wishes to establish a VPN in an uncensored country and make free accounts available to all. Concealing one's IP address has been criminalised under the provisions of a new, draconian cybercrime law making use of circumvention software and anonymous proxy servers illegal as well as forcing Thai ISPs to become cybercops doing government's dirty work. VPNs require noconcealment and are thus completely legal but VPNs are reputed to require extensive support both on the server and client sides. 3) Free Thai Project--Extensive translation is required both from English to Thai and Thai to English in order to keep the public informed and the issues in the public eye. Per page costs are quite high and a typical document can cost $600-1000. FACT sends frequent press releases, information bulletins and postings to FACT's website. We also post the secret, official blocklists (from spies) on our site. We wish to continue to distribute our CD of public information, blocklists, proposals to government as well as circumvention software and access to anonymous proxies. We also wish to distribute a FACT booklet, t-shirts, buttons, stickers and black wristbands. 4) Taking Stock Project--FACT wishes to buy common shares in Thailand's 54 ISPs in order to put censorship on the agendae of their annual shareholders' meetings. 5) Keeping censorship in Thailand on the international agendae of international human rights, freedom of expression, privacy and civil liberties groups is essential both to our personal safety (forced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings are not uncommon) and contribute to the issue's visibility. We consider international support to be crucial and require travel to conferences.
Organization or Business Name
Who would want to use it and why?
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand has 700 signers since November 2006 as of July 2007. However, FACT has far more wide-ranging interest. Currently more than 50,000 websites are blocked by several government agencies. Users can be expected to be journalists, academics and their students, researchers, human rights, free expression and media activists. Nearly every Thai is thirsty for democracy and we think there could well be a groundswell for this legal use. VPN would accomplish communication with our other projects even if they are blocked by government. Media, book and film censorship are becoming victims to unofficial self-censorship as there are no legal guidelines in place, thus no transparency or accountability in government. FACT wants to offer an alternative to tyranny.
Why are you the best person or organization to develop this project?
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) was established in November 2006 to petition the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand over Internet censorship. Since that time, Internet censorship has increased more than 500% under the military coup d'etat government. The coup repealed the 1997 'Peoples' Constitution which guaranteed many human rights and civil liberties. Government censorship violates at least 11 articles of the Constitution and has been decreed illegal by the Council of State and rulings by the Administrative Court. FACT has also pursued its campaign through the freedom of information process and will pursue all legal alternatives to censorship. FACT has tendered proposals to the Constitution Drafting Committee of the military-appointed National Legislative Assembly as well as contributed recommendations to subcommittees considering the cybercrime law, the Printing Act and the Film Act. We see our role as an apolitical watchdog group, simply against censorship no matter who is in power. FACT has sponsored public information seminars, fora and debates at the US Embassy, Bangkok (cosponsored by the US Department of State), the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, the Thai Journalists Association, the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, Chulalongkorn, Thammasat and Kasetsart universities and even a mobilisation at Thailand's premier computer venue to launch our CD, "Beat the Censors--Unblock ICT!" FACT's CD is available via Torrent as well as from FACT's website, Archive.org, International Freedom of Expression (IFEX), Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and others. In only six months, censorship is being hotly debated in Thai society. Censorship is the subject of news reports several times a week as a result of our efforts. FACT is relied on for providing the secret blocklists to the public and for the accuracy of our detailed analysis of them and other censorship in Thai society such as the lese majeste and defamation laws.
U.S. State
Country
What potentially bigger thing might happen if everything went perfectly and the stars all aligned?
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) has submitted a challenge on censorship to all of the political parties participating in the first democratic elections in two years. Two years ago Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was elected with a great majority; he was deposed by a military coup d'tat on September 19, 2006. FACT had planned its challenge to Internet censorship under civilian government. But we did not back down when we were suddenly confronting a military junta under martial law. Our greatest success could be measured through political parties here battling over which were better defenders of rights, liberties and free expression as Thailand returns to somewhat more democratic administration. FACT would like to participate in Government decision-making on vital free expression issues. A) To amend the new Constitution 2007, to which drafting committee FACT submitted proposals. Many of the rights and liberties guaranteed by the 1997 'People's' Charter need to be restored to allow Thailand to become a functioning democracy. B) for repeal of the new Computer-Related Crimes Act. This law was the first and only passed by the interim military coup-appointed National Legislative Assembly. Since its passage, two Internet users have been arrested for posting anonymous comments regarding the monarchy. They were traced by IP address. Such laws make Thailand a police state and a surveillance society; they are unacceptable in a democratic system. It is widely expected that further arrests will follow, probably next for use of circumvention software or anonymous proxies. Further, the new cybercrime law is now being used by ISPs to block arbitrarily and independently with no public or even Government oversight as the ISPs are afraid of criminal sanctions for "illegal" content transitting their servers. C) to repeal existing lese-majeste and criminal defamation laws. These laws have been abused consistently for political ends in Thailand, to intimidate opponents and stifle dissent.
How will you be able to measure whether or not your project has really made a difference?
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) intends to pressure the new Parliament on the several issues addressed in No. 5 above via a public campaign after December's election. Public and Government responce to these overtures will be some measure of our success. A) Amend the new Constitution 2007 B) Repeal of the new Computer-Related Crimes Act. Government considers the arrests to be a measure of the new Act's effectiveness. Certainly, one effect has been a further chilling of free expression. As the prosecution dropped these cases, there may be a fundamental flaw in the law which we can expose and exploit. It is widely expected that further arrests will follow, probably next for use of circumvention software or anonymous proxies. Further, the new cybercrime law is now being used by ISPs to block arbitrarily and independently with no public or even Government oversight as the ISPs are afraid of criminal sanctions for "illegal" content transitting their servers. Existing law is sufficient to deal with every situation used in the Act. FACT thinks we need to get rid of this law. C) to repeal existing lese-majeste and criminal defamation laws. These laws have been abused consistently for political ends in Thailand, to intimidate opponents and stifle dissent. One elegant solution we have proposed regarding lese-majeste is that His Majesty must sanction such a charge. These are merely concrete examples. Less tangible measures are greater openness in Thai media by seeing reporting on critical but sensitive and controversial issues. Many issues are presently completely unreported in the Thai language media. Another measure would be a refusal of Thai ISPs to block any Web content. Such a bloc would be resistant to Government intimidation. Already one large ISP and new International Internet Gateway are refusing to block content after negotiations with FACT; they have not been moved against thus far. We are hoping that our Taking Stock Project will put further pressure on ISPs and Gateways to refuse to capi
Requested amount from Knight News Challenge
What unmet need does your proposal answer?
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) is the only ACTIVIST group working against all manifestations of censorship in Thailand. Censorship has been allowed to become a pervasive part of Thai society. Many Thais don't even notice the daily self-censorship we impose. FACT, first and foremost, exists to raise public awareness of censorship and to raise public consciousness to accept and expect free expression. We hold and participate in public fora, organise mobilisations, tender proposals to Government, cooperate with both local NGOs and professional associations and international free expression organisations. This work has served to make people here cognizant that they are being constantly monitored and censored. FACT's work over the last year has ensured that the issue is in the news several days a week. Our efforts have also enabled cooperation with international organisations and made Thailand's censorship a world issue.
Total cost of project, including all sources of funding
What specific, unique opportunity do you see that will make this project more successful than others trying to fill that general
Thai society and Thai politics are in a very fragile transitional phase. Our Constitutional process is being redeveloped and evaluated. Thai can ally with forces of repression, the military in parfticular, or forces of freedom. There has been greater open challenge through nolnviolent resistance to this coup d'etat than to any other. Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) thinks, hopes and dreams Thai people are ready to accept freedom. We are on an intellectual and moral cusp. Many activist organisations are to show the varied ways freedom can be expressed. Defending freedom in this time in Thailand affords great challenge and responsibility. It will take people trained and capable to develop creative strategies of resistance and able to offer alternatives. FACTivists all need to be fearless in resisting further repression. Internet censorship, in particular, affects public discussions, information and knowledge sharing, free exchange of opinions. Several of the wholesale Web-blocking currently practiced are the silencing of dissenting political opinions, anti-coup voices and commentary on Thailand's monarchy. However, perhaps most important, such censorship has silenced all voices from the deep Southern Muslim provinces. Such censorship is resulting in unparalleled divisions in Thai society and helps to encourage violence. Even Southern appeals to international bodies such as the United Nations have been blocked by Thai government. In addition, martial law has been in effect for more than one year using an "internal security" law. FACT is working against an update to this law which gives the military even more power.
Expected amount of time to complete project (in whole years):
How will people learn about what you are doing?
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) is making continuing plans to initiate and participate in further public fora and conferences both in Thailand and abroad. There are already so many subjects here which require public discussion and understanding. We already have a great media presence in Thailand and internationally; as FACT is on the cutting edge of censorship issues here, we have become best-known for our rapid responce in defence of freedoms and resistance to repression. We have always sought to be newsworthy! We also are planning further mass mobilisations. In June 2007, more than 500 people attended a FACT mobilisation to make its anti-censorship tools available to the public on CD. In August 2007, FACT participated in a mobilisation at the United Nations branch in Bangkok to raise public awareness of the Cybercrime law. FACT also has plans for a high-quality, well-designed booklet stating our platforms against censorship. Many brochures, pamphlets and leaflets are merely throwaways; we hope to make ours attractive enough to be saved for reference to these issues. CJ Hinke, as a Thai book publisher, is already a member of the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand. PUBAT holds two major international book fairs every year, each attended by over two million ordinary Thais. FACT has been very active in defending all books recently banned here. However, we would like to have a booth at these book fairs educating the public about censorship issues and promoting our various programmes such as our "Beat the Censors" CD, Freedom Network VPN and Banned Books Project.
Do you have any other funding or investment? We’re interested in knowing who else is interested in your project.
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) was started out of the personal commitment of CJ Hinke. As a boutique Thai publisher and retired academic, there simply have not been sufficient funds available to accomplish all that needs our urgent attention here. In addition, FACT has a core group of about 30 activists all of whom have given unsparingly of their personal funds and time. The sad reality in Thailand is that vital NGOs are never able to be funded locally and always require international support. There are times when that makes us feel we're in no position to fight government (composed of, of course, fat cats in every country). However, we've been giving a good fight so far on nearly no funds--what a difference some support would make! In particular, FACT would be able to hire a full-time bilingual staff person to deal with our Website, scanning and translation. A staff member would also help to keep FACT's issues timely in the public mind. monitor and assess censorship issues and the effectiveness of our campaign.
Are you working with anyone else to complete this project? If so, please give names and what they would do?
FACT's current advisory panellists are: Organisation and coordination: Supinya Klangnarong (Past Coordinator) - Campaign for Popular Media Reform (media freedom advocacy group) and Mahidol University's Office of Human Rights and Social Development CJ Hinke (Coordinator) - Thammasat University, Ruen Panya Books Arthit Suriyawongkul (Coordinator) - Siridhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University Thai and international law: Nakhon Chomphuchat - Internet law Dr. Pinai na Nakorn - Constitutional law, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University Phromlak Sakphichaimongkhon - Thai law Somchai Homlaor - Human rights law Media freedom: Chiranuch Premchaiporn - Prachatai.com (independent and progressive Web media) Dr. Jon Ungphakorn - Former Thai Senator, AIDS and free expression activist, columnist for The Bangkok Post Pravit Rojanapruk - Media campaigner, reporter for The Nation Roby Alampay, South East Asia Press Association (Bangkok-based international media advocacy group) Muslim voices: The Honourable Angkhana Neelapaijit - current member of the military-appointed National Legislative Assembly, prominent Muslim voice, wife of disappeared Muslim human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit Thawatchai Piyawat - GotoKnow.org (Webblog provider, from Thailand's Muslim South) Internet freedoms: Dr. Jittat Fakcharoenphol - Faculty of Computer Science, Kasetsart University (academic computer professional) Sarinee Acharanuntakul - Fringer.org (popular bilingual Weblog activist) Sombat Boonngamanong - Sep19.org (prominent anti-coup activist, charged with criminal defamation by military junta's two top leaders, his websites blocked on many occasions, case pending) Dr. Somkiat Tangnamo - Midnight University (Chiang Mai University academic and founder of online university, took government to court over Web-blocking and secured an injunction against further blocking, case pending) Banned books: Dr. Charrnvit Kasetsiri - Southeast Asian historian, Thammasat University
Who else is working in this area? How does your work fit into the larger context of work in this area?
At present, there are no organisations working specifically on censorship issues in Thailand. However, Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) cooperates with local freedom of expression groups such as the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, Free Cinema Movement,Southeast Asian Press Alliance, Thai Journalists Association, Thai Labour Campaign, Thai Press Association. FACT is a member of the Global Internet Liberty Campaign and partners with its 68 international member organisations. FACT actively cooperates both locally and internationally with a variety human rights, civil liberties, freedom of expression organisations. We are especially active in information-sharing in order to issue appeals that work both ways. FACT also receives cooperation from: Academic advisors: Dr. Pirongrong Ramasoota - Faculty of Journalism, Chulalongkorn University Dr. Ubonrat Siriyuwasuk (Advisor Emeritus) - Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University and International advisors: Nick Cheesman - Asian Human Rights Foundation, Hong Kong Dr. Chintana Sandilands - Australian National University Bennett Haselton - Peacefire.org (Privacy activist), USA Dr. Dan McQuillan - Amnesty International, UK Danny O'Brien - Electronic Frontiers Foundation, USA Dr. Snea Thinsan - University of Indiana, USA Dr. Thongchai Winichakul - University of Wisconsin, USA Philip Zimmerman - Crypto-activist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology We feel it vital that Thai people come to realise not only their freedoms are under threat but that people in nearly every country can say the same. It is also important for people overseas to see how we are fighting the Campaign Against Censorship in Thailand, our successes and our setbacks.
What do you guarantee will happen if you complete the activities in this proposal?
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) guarantees that Thai people will understand issues of censorship, free expression, media freedoms, freedom of communication, freedom of association, academic freedom, freedom of opinion, thought, ideas, human rights and civil liberties. We want Thai people to expect these attributes of a free society and to act when these freedoms are violated. Our banner attached below reads, "Stop blocking the Internet". FACT's campaign is under the banner of "NO COMPROMISE! NO CENSORSHIP!". We are also attaching FACT's electoral proposals; FACT's opinion on Internet censorship; "Dancing with Martial Law"; FACT's mission statement; and most current banned book analysis, on "Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party" for your review.