In the last 48 hours members of 38 degrees have sent more than 10,000 complaints to their MPs expressing their concern overomy Bill.

This week politicians said that those opposing the bill are “web anarchists”, which is a convenient way for them to avoid the many concerns the public has about this bill, but the fact remains that many people have strong concerns that the government is forcing a complex bill through Parliament without addressing legitimate concerns from many people.

The government is planning to use a special ”fast track” process designed for the weeks before an election, that is intended to pass urgent and uncontroversial measures, to force thorough these controversial new powers.  This process is problematic at the best of times because it removes the normal democratic checks, and removing scrutiny and debate over such a complex bill that gives unprecedented new powers to the Government is deeply worrying.

The bill contains list of new powers that would (amongst many things) give the government power to disconnect millions of people, block websites, create the potential for back-door censorship and could mean the end of open WiFi.  Even  Schools and libraries could have their internet connection cut off if people infringe any copyright.

One group that is very keen on to see the bill approved is the music industry. Early this month it was discovered that parts of the bill have been copied word for word from a draft “suggestion” which was written by the music industry lobbyist group, the BPI.  

It was recently reportedin the Guardian that the same lobbyists admitted the only way to get the bill through would be to rush it through without any proper parliamentary debate.

Those opposing the bill are a growing and powerful movement of companies, libraries, consumer groups and of course us, the public. Facebook, Google, Yahoo, Virgin, Orange, eBay and BT who came together earlier this month to express their concern over this bill.

38 egrees have joined with the Open Rights Group (ORG) to oppose the bill.  As Jim Killock, ORG’s Executive Director says:

“At the fag end of this Parliament, disastrous laws to disconnect families from the internet and introduce web censorship powers that we haven’t even seen, could get passed into law without proper debate.

Serious laws, that would disrupt people’s freedom of speech and their daily lives, and potentially create new web censorship powers, deserve proper scrutiny and debate. Anything less is undemocratic and unaccountable, not to mention deeply irresponsible.

That is why 38 Degrees is joining the Open Rights Groups’ call for a proper open debate on this Bill. Please write to your MP now to demand that this Bill is properly debated.”

The Government is right to attempt to tackle the many issues surrounding the internet, but to rush these complex new measures through Parliament is wrong. To think that Labour might rush them through before a general election without anyone noticing is wrong. This law needs a proper debate and proper scrutiny. That’s why ten thousand people have written to theirr MPs.

If you haven’t done so already now is the time to write to your MP and tell them why we oppose the Digital Economy Bill: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/digital-economy-bill