Reps. Smith, Wu establish new Internet freedom caucus

Reps Chris Smith (R-NJ) and David Wu (D-OR) announced the formation of a bipartisan Global Internet Freedom Caucus to promote unfettered Web access in countries notorious for online censorship.

At a press conference early Tuesday, Rep Smith described that effort as crucial to stop the "concerted" attacks countries like Iran and China have launched recently to stifle political dissidents organizing on the Web. "Since 2006 it's become very clear -- and Google's recent difficulties in China underline this -- that IT companies are not powerful enough to stand up to a repressive governments," Smith told reporters. "Without US government support, they are inevitably forced to play a role in the repressive government's censorship and surveillance." So far, Reps Smith and Wu are the caucus' only members. However, Smith's office said late Tuesday that three to four additional lawmakers have signaled they are "agreeable" to the caucus' aims and are now "ready to sign on" to the effort.