Fry urges followers to back protest

Stephen Fry has lent his support to a protest over new internet laws to be introduced in New Zealand by blacking out his profile picture on Twitter.

The writer and broadcaster, who is one of the most-followed people on Twitter, has joined the Blackout protest ahead of new copyright laws to be introduced in New Zealand on 28 February.

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Under the new law, internet connections can be terminated if copyright infringement by the owner of the contract is suspected. This can be done without a court trial, according to lobby group Creative Freedom NZ.

Critics of the law point to the fact that it is possible for illegal downloaders to 'piggy-back' on the connections of innocent people who haven't secured their wireless networks adequately.

Fry is calling on his legion of followers, which number more than 193,000, to back the Blackout protest.

"Thanks to all who have supported the blackout. It may not bring the NZ gov to their senses but can it hurt for them to learn of our outrage?" Fry wrote in his Twitter account.

http://twitter.com/stephenfry
http://creativefreedom.org.nz