IMC Bristol Press Release : IMC Bristol Server Seized
bristol indymedia | 28.06.2005 23:52 | Indymedia
Contact: Ana - Bristol Indymedia Volunteer / 07976 787335
Email:
bristolindymedia@hush.com
http://www.bristol.indymedia.org
On Monday 27th June the police raided a residential property in Bristol and seized an Indymedia server and other computer equipment. They also arrested one person for incitement to criminal damage under common law. That person has since been released on bail. We see this police action as an attack on the freedom of speech and journalistic independence.
This police action relates to an article posted on 17th June in which persons unknown claimed to have damaged cars being transported on a train. This article was considered by Bristol Indymedia to have breached the guidelines and was hidden.
On Monday 20th the police contacted Bristol Indymedia with reference to this posting. Bristol Indymedia informed the police that they were in the process of instructing a solicitor to reply on their behalf. On Tuesday 21st the police contacted a Bristol Indymedia volunteer requesting the IP logs. Bristol Indymedia considered that the system was journalistic material covered by special provision under the law.
A solicitor from Liberty faxed the police explaining this provision. The police then contacted Bristol Indymedia to request a meeting which Bristol Indymedia agreed to. Ten minutes before the arranged meeting DI Bennett of British Transport Police cancelled the meeting and asked to postpone it.
The next police contact was the seizure of the server and the arrest of a Bristol Indymedia volunteer. The seizure of the server was carried out under a search warrant (police and criminal evidence act 1984, ss.8 and 15), not recognising the journalistic privilege.
Additional Statement:
"We are outraged at the actions of the police. They have completely disabled the entire Bristol Indymedia news service. By their actions they have undermined the principle of open publishing and free access to the media, thereby removing people's opportunity to read and report their own news. This situation has serious implications for anyone providing a news service on the Internet. We do not intend to let this stop us from continuing the project."
Contact: Ana - Bristol Indymedia Volunteer / 07976 787335
Email: bristolindymedia@hush.com
http://www.bristol.indymedia.org
Email:
bristolindymedia@hush.com http://www.bristol.indymedia.org On Monday 27th June the police raided a residential property in Bristol and seized an Indymedia server and other computer equipment. They also arrested one person for incitement to criminal damage under common law. That person has since been released on bail. We see this police action as an attack on the freedom of speech and journalistic independence.
This police action relates to an article posted on 17th June in which persons unknown claimed to have damaged cars being transported on a train. This article was considered by Bristol Indymedia to have breached the guidelines and was hidden.
On Monday 20th the police contacted Bristol Indymedia with reference to this posting. Bristol Indymedia informed the police that they were in the process of instructing a solicitor to reply on their behalf. On Tuesday 21st the police contacted a Bristol Indymedia volunteer requesting the IP logs. Bristol Indymedia considered that the system was journalistic material covered by special provision under the law.
A solicitor from Liberty faxed the police explaining this provision. The police then contacted Bristol Indymedia to request a meeting which Bristol Indymedia agreed to. Ten minutes before the arranged meeting DI Bennett of British Transport Police cancelled the meeting and asked to postpone it.
The next police contact was the seizure of the server and the arrest of a Bristol Indymedia volunteer. The seizure of the server was carried out under a search warrant (police and criminal evidence act 1984, ss.8 and 15), not recognising the journalistic privilege.
Additional Statement:
"We are outraged at the actions of the police. They have completely disabled the entire Bristol Indymedia news service. By their actions they have undermined the principle of open publishing and free access to the media, thereby removing people's opportunity to read and report their own news. This situation has serious implications for anyone providing a news service on the Internet. We do not intend to let this stop us from continuing the project."
Contact: Ana - Bristol Indymedia Volunteer / 07976 787335
Email:
bristolindymedia@hush.com http://www.bristol.indymedia.org
bristol indymedia
e-mail:
bristolindymedia@hush.com
Homepage:
http://www.bristol.indymedia.org
Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
LEGAL FUND
29.06.2005 15:06
Other methods of donating may follow shortly. For the moment it's the old-fangled cheque / postal order way of doing things.
Cheques can be made out to:
Bristol Indymedia. Box 3. Greenleaf Books, 82 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BB
Thanks.
Friends Of BIM
Friends Of BIM
Alternative Bristol Information Outlets
29.06.2005 15:09
So...
The Bristol Social Forum & Bristol Stop-The-War message boards have now been opened up so that anyone can currently post to them from any email account (although posts will continue to be moderated and there may be a delay of a few days on the Bristol Social Forum so that emails can be sent out in more user friendly batches direct to people's inboxes.)
As it has a subscription base of 350+, it is a valuable outlet.
Bristol Social Forum. (Bristol / South West focussed posts please)
Anyone can post to:
Visit:
You can also subscribe if you like, instructions at bottom of page.
Bristol Stop The War. (National level posts are also welcome here)
Anyone can post to:
99% of subscribers only receive the monthly newsletter direct to their inbox, but it is widely publicised as a public message board too, so it has it's uses.
repost
printable version Bristol Indymedia : Back and Now on Oscailt!
09.07.2005 15:20
The delay in getting it back up was partly caused by us being right in the middle of testing a new (and apparently infintely better) codebase when it got seized (that and G8 summit distractions.)
There seemed little point plugging the old clunky DADA code back in, but the new Oscailt code is still a little under tested.
We're also currently missing the archive, partly because CID are in possession of it, and partly because getting our DADA back-ups to be compatible with the new Oscailt set-up is a job in itself.
So, here you go, BIM is back! If you find any bugs please do let us know, there's bound to be a fair few, and some bugs will show up on some packages and not others, so it is very necessary to have your feedback.
Please email us with any bug reports:
forwarded message
Homepage:
http:// http://www.bristol.indymedia.org