Sedition and the Artist

I am not sure how many people have been following the Alliance's campaign against the Sedition Laws introduced by the Government, but for those who haven't, here's an overview, and a warning.

1. Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state.
2. Insurrection; rebellion.

As a part of the Anti-terrorism laws introduced by the Government, it is now potentially an act of treason to speak out against the government. That in itself may not be a big issue for many until you consider the performers dilemma. Comedians make a living out taking the mick out of political figures of the day. According to the Alliance, the possible interpretation of the Sedition Clause of the Anti-Terrorism Act is loose enough to potentially include such performance acts as being treasonous.

Sedition laws have historically been used to suppress free-speech and discontent in the population. The following is a quote taken from a document produced by the Alliance in opposition to the laws;

"The most obvious example is the use of sedition laws to attack the American arts community, and Hollywood in particular, during McCarthy period in the 1940s and 1950s. 

"In 1947, the House Committee on Un-American Activites charged ten writers, directors and producers – to become known as the “Hollywood Ten” – with contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions posed by the Committee. By the end of the notorious McCarthy era somewhere between 325 and 500 actors, directors, producers and writers were forced to seek work elsewhere. 

"Some of those whom history now records as amongst the most important writers of all time have been charged with or threatened with sedition including Robert Burns, Ben Jonson, Daniel Defoe, William Blake and Molière."

The implication for political abuse is staggering. Sedition laws have been used in Australia. As an example, during early colonisation, sedition laws were used to cover horrendous mistakes made by the then government, like The Eureka Stockade incident also mentioned in the Alliance posting. They were also used during the Vietnam War Protests, against the Australian Communist Party during the Mcarthy years just to name a few.

Laws of Sedition have historically (and in some countries, currently) been used to silence any for of free-speech that is against the 'Party Line' of the day, and these laws do not appear to be any different. Journalists, Actors, Writers, Union members/leaders, anyone involved in directions of free-speech will be affected by these new laws.

Do a Google search for 'Sedition Australia' and have a look at the general comments floating around. To say that people are generally concerned would be an understatement.