EU media chief rules out Internet freedom law

European Union Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said a EU law to reinforce freedom on the Internet would be unnecessary and put operators in a difficult position. Congress has drafted a Global Online Freedom Act. Some European Parliament members want the EU to follow suit, saying authoritarian nations are increasingly censoring the Web by blocking sites and intimidating users with "cyber police." Such actions violate human rights, the EU lawmakers say. The American law would promote freedom of expression on the Web and protect US companies from coercion to participate in repression. "Should the EU have specific legislation on Internet freedom? I am not convinced so far that hard law is the best way to deal with the challenge," Reding told a meeting in the European Parliament.