Uranium miner fails to censor internet
Monday 3 April 2006
Darwin Indymedia
A Darwin activist says attempts by a uranium miner to censor an anti-nuclear website have failed.
Mr Justin Tutty describes www.compass-resources.info as "anti-corporate satire".
"Compass Resources don't want you to know of their plans to mine uranium less than 1km from darwin's drinking water supply" said Mr Tutty.
The contentious website has a similar name and appearance to the official Compass site. However, in place of their broker reports and announcements to the stock exchange is featured information about the environmental threats posed by plans for renewed activities around the abandoned Rum Jungle Uranium Mine.
Two weeks ago, the website was temporarily brought down when Compass Resources contacted the host, threatening legal action.
"It was disappointing that the previous host was so easily intimidated, but we had no trouble finding one who is committed to free speech" said Mr Tutty.
Mr Tutty admits that the site remains vulnerable to a court order in the U.S.
"At the end of the day, Compass Resources, with all their financial backing, may have the power to censor some forms of media" said Mr Tutty.
"But this information, about radioactive mining waste, local and regional water impacts, and the broader issues of a new uranium mine, cannot be contained."
In March 2006, Compass Resources director Philip Cohen sent the following email to the host of the website www.compass-resources.info :
The previous host of the site was dutifully intimidated, and immediately pulled the plug. But after searching around for a host who supports freedom of speech, the webmaster got the site back up within a couple of weeks.
