Abraha Belai’s Bombshell
What reasons does Abraha Belai give us, that all anonymous writers (pen name users) should be banned? And can he present his Internet rules & related legal evidences for such TPLF kind barbaric attack on people’s freedom too? Or, was it the old dog couldn’t learn a new trick thing?
By: Dr G Bekele – 27 November 2009
Ethiopian Democrats, please don’t be paranoid about Abraha Belai’s (Big Brother) warning, but then again, please do admit to keeping an eye on him too, as to how he keeps an eye on all of us writers’ publishers and commentators. Well, if that was not paranoia he could have fooled us? My fellow Ethiopians, one of the greatest free-speech advantages the Internet provides is the ability to broadcast various materials from all over the world to all over the world. It is unlike pamphleteering in that one can disseminate his or her grievances, concerns or other beliefs to a potentially unlimited audience. Indeed, by using the Internet, any person with a phone line can become a town or city crier with a voice that resonates farther than it could from any soapbox. Anonymity is also an option for the Internet user on any Website, Newsgroup, Chat Room, Web Log or Message Board. And with anonymity may also come an increased willingness to criticize other people, corporations, public officials, universities and increased boldness in doing so. At the same time, more criticism may bring more lawsuits when online criticism (anonymous or not) strays over the line into libel, a lawsuit may result. According to USA TODAY article, only 50 Libel Lawsuits have been officially filed over the 2 years in United States stemming from online postings but none of it like criticising Hailu Shawel, Seye and Meles or anyone but serious crimes. Unfortunately, my old admirer & a good man who posted my many articles for few years now asserted that banning anonymous posting is good censorship. I must admit that I did use my real name in all my publications that was posted on his site before his complaint heard for my use of graphics in my articles, which he could easily ignore. But the real reason was that I criticised the TPLF dissidents that annoyed him. I don’t agree with his suggestion. Oh no, we don’t want to introduce TPLF’s undemocratic law to the Diaspora population. It is in fact, very disheartening to even hear from someone who calls himself a patriot and a democrat. And when one thinks that no one invited physical violence and even gunplay or made serious life threats other than expressing ones fair political ideologies and criticisms, his ill-thought suggestion sounded vague. This seems, totally without foundation, a bit overwrought and self-dramatizing to also tell the other websites: I am your boss and do as told you kind of boasting. What a fool?
I should note that I personally benefit from ones use of anonymous expression. These days, telephone calls when checked says the caller withheld the number and Newspapers too print saying, “Name withheld”. People choose this option when their query includes a confession of wrongdoing or reveals information about other people’s behaviour that could have unfortunate consequences for the sender or his friends and family.
Writers sometimes would be reluctant to reveal such dubious conduct without this protection. Some Newspapers’ column couldn’t have function without this exemption too. The problem becomes that requiring identification does not mean it will be real. For example, when I first asked Abraha Belai to publish my article, he insisted he should have my telephone number and who I was and so on but no other website asked me such question to date. Very suspicious wasn’t it? It was but I did not care at the time but it reached the regime and they came to know who I was and am one of the patriots they are after now. I told Abraha Belai the truth and let him have everything he wanted to know about me. But supposing I told him I was Challa Gurmessa, Asamrew Debalqe or Ambassador Temtme Gebrehiwot, how would he know? It’s as easy to create a fake name as it is to leave a vitriolic message, and for every digital protection against such pen names, there will be a good way to circumvent it. It’s a valid question – what is the value of anonymity, but ultimately a bit irrelevant. Anonymous commenting is here to stay forever. Therefore, focus on improving the cultures of comments rather than the names assigned to each note expectations are often much stronger than regulations. Few among us are well known enough to cause a big “stir” or ripple by our thoughts and opinions; in fact, it may be an arrogance to think we have that power of persuasion. What an anonymous name may allow is courage of expression and the opportunity to sort our reactions and views over time. When I read comments, it is the thought not the author- that remains with me, often influencing my own view with shift and balance. True too?
Then, there is a kind of delight in reading the words of invisible fellow citizens and those from abroad- freely expressing themselves beyond the ego trap of name or position. TPLF officials, Military Generals, Ministers and Ambassadors could secretly publish articles using pen names in fear of or for their lives, their families’ lives and the same with us who live in the Diasporas. How did TPLF get real names of some individuals it accused as criminals too that cannot go to Ethiopia anymore for fear of being arrested like me? As a result, most publishers and chat room and discussion forums use pen names for security and safety. That was all! There is a tradition of privacy in religion, the law, therapy and medicine that serve a valid purpose too. For Abraha Belai, every Ferenj’s garbage can be posted without any identity question but not Ethiopians.
What is a pen name?
A “pen name” or “nom de plume” is a pseudonym used by an author. Sometimes it’s used to remain anonymous, but authors often don’t mind their pen names being known – they just use different names for their writing in separate genres, to avoid confusing their readers. Professionals in other creative fields also use pseudonyms, but these aren’t called pen names; for example, an actor taking on a different name is using a “stage name”.
Famous people with pen names
Stephen King is an American writer of contemporary horror fiction, science fiction, fantasy literature, and screenplays has written a number of books using the pen name Richard Bachman and one short story, “The Fifth Quarter”, as John Swithen.
George Orwell (real name Eric Arthur Blair)
George Eliot (real name Mary Ann Evans)
Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Lutwidge Dodgson)
Others
Carlos Irwin Estévez: Charlie Sheen
Natalie Hershlag: Natalie Portman
Caryn Elaine Johnson: Whoopi Goldberg
Allen Stewart Konigsberg: Woody Allen
Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov: Helen Mirren
Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg: Jane Seymour
Reginald Kenneth Dwight: Elton John
And many writers today use pen names. For example, Alisa Zinov’yevna Rosenbaum is the real name of Ayn Rand (she wrote the famous novel Atlas Shrugged, examining philosophical and political themes).
Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden, a fantasy author, writes under two pen names: Megan Lindholm for her earlier, contemporary fantasy, and Robin Hobb for her epic, traditional fantasy books.
Why use a pen name?
Authors use pen names for a wide variety of reasons, which include: To remain anonymous (especially if producing a politically or religiously sensitive work). This is perhaps less common today, but sometimes occurs if a very personal or sexually explicit work is written. An example is the author Belle de Jour (who writes a blog Belle de Jour: diary of a London call girl and has had two books published based on the blog). Some people see this form of anonymity as a ploy to provoke media interest, as newspapers compete to discover the real identity of such authors.
To change or conceal gender
In the 18th century, many female authors used male pen names in order to be taken seriously. George Eliot is the most famous example, though the Bronte sisters all wrote under pen names too. This trend still continues in some genres today: for example, female fantasy or science fiction authors will often use a gender-neutral name (Robin Hobb) or use their initials (J.K. Rowling) as the genre has traditionally attracted more male readers and authors. A similar effect can be seen when male authors adopt a female pen name to write a chick lit or romance novel.
To write across multiple genres
Lewis Carroll also wrote mathematical textbooks under his real name (Charles Dodgson), so adopted a pen name for his children’s novels. Authors today who write in multiple genres will sometimes use a different name for each one, to avoid confusing readers. Others use alternative forms of their real name; for example, the author Iain Menzies Banks writes mainstream fiction under the name Iain Banks and science fiction as Iain M Banks.
To recover from poor sales or reputation
If, an author’s real name has attracted criticism – it may be worth considering changing to a pen name. Sometimes, the first few novels by a new author don’t sell well in bookshops, leading publishers to reject future submissions: changing to a pen name is often recommended in these circumstances.
So should you use a pen name?
If you are trying to build up a reputation in multiple genres, using a pen name (or several pen names) is probably a good idea. And if your real name (or current pen name) has attracted heavy criticism or negative publicity, switching to a new name could be a good way to recover. Even if people do know what your real name is, you’ll be referred to by your pen name and it’s likely that few people will make a connection with your previous writings. However, adopting a pen name means building up your reputation again from scratch that could be a particular problem for freelance writers. You’ll still have all your experience and knowledge, but you may not want to use existing clippings of your style of writing, which were published under your previous name. Ultimately, only you can decide whether it’s best for you to adopt a pen name or not. Many very successful authors have done so in the past, though, and many do today so you’ll be in good company if you decide to use one! Therefore, I don’t see where there would be a problem in using pen names. Sometimes, if a person becomes famous perhaps they prefer to keep their everyday life private and simply use the pen name when writing books and doing a book tour. Besides, more than one person to sustain the longevity of a book series can use a pen name. Both Franklin Dixon (The Hardy Boys) and Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew) are fictional names and those books have been around since the 1930s. In that case though, it allows many authors to write books for the series but only one name is identified to keep anonymity to the real writer. I do firmly believe, however, that it is the responsibility of the blog editor to ensure that comments, which are highly libellous, grossly inaccurate, or advocating violence should not be posted or be removed if the defamed requested for it and also if necessary at all. Understood?
So, which public figure Abraha Belai was really muttering about? Dees public figures defend themselves too? Who are they really and truly who cannot defend themselves? Aite Seye, Gebru, Hailu, Lidetu or Meles: his old friend and ex-boss he is probably colleting our telephone numbers and identities for? Just curious! ? Oh, Abraha Belai, he just wanted to introduce TPLF’S style of banning Internet and freedom of writing here in the west as well. Poor Abraha Belai, he still carries TPLF’s bad habit on his shoulders and he does not know that he lives in the west. If anyone refuses to give him his/her telephone number, personal details, do not agree with him to form an Ethiomedia Fun Club and dares to publish articles on other websites other than his, that person is accused of using pen name therefore he or she should be banned for life. Hmmmmm! Watch out innocent writers, don’t give away your telephone numbers and personal profiles unless you are 200% sure that the person who asked you is absolutely genuine. Those who regularly give personal comments must continue using your pen names as well. Sorry Abraha, Keftowal Zemenu! Yalteretere Temenetere! Zememu zemene GrimbiTna Kifum New. Yasaznal!
The Law
US Court Sets Standard For Online Anonymity Protections
http://news.cnet.com/the-iconoclast/?keyword=first+amendment
Websites involved in defamation suits are not required to immediately hand over the identities of readers who leave anonymous comments, a Maryland court has ruled, laying out guidelines for future suits involving online anonymity. The Maryland Court of Appeals on Friday overturned an earlier ruling that would have forced Independent Newspapers, which runs the online forum NewsZap.com, to turn over the names of three unknown Internet posters who posted negative remarks regarding the cleanliness of a Dunkin’ Donuts in Centreville, Maryland. The owner of the Dunkin’ Donuts, Zebulon J. Brodie, claimed the anonymous posters defamed his store. The appeals court decided Brodie was not entitled to learn the identities of the posters because in his complaint he misidentified the forum participants responsible for the critical comments. In a defamation case involving anonymous speakers, the ruling said, courts should first require the plaintiff to try to notify the anonymous posters that they are the subject of a subpoena. That notification could come in the form of a message posted to the online forum in question, and the posters must be given sufficient time to respond. The plaintiff must then hand over the exact statements in question, so the concerned court can decide whether the comments are obviously defamatory. Finally, the ruling says, the court must weigh the anonymous poster’s right to free speech against the strength of the defamation case and the necessity of disclosing the poster’s identity. This ruling was years ago but Abraha still don’t know it despite thinking that he is the wisest man in USA. Hence, I urge all Ethiopian websites not to give huts or take notice of Abraha Belai’s undemocratic TPLF-style warning, suggestion for banning and please continue with your democratic and political activities and good jobs you are all relentlessly doing for the general public, the oppressed Ethiopians back home and our country Ethiopia. Otherwise, the public would refrain from publishing their thoughts and others expressing their disappointments.
Got something to say Aite Abraha Belai the editor? Better shut it and swallow the bitter pill mate. Otherwise, it would be worse for you if I were forced to pull out my Words of Mass Destruction (WMD). Tegbaban? But before I go to my dinning room to have my supper, let me remind you one more thing. After I read your little crap in which you indirectly told us Obama can be called Nigger, Bush many names etc but the Seyes and Gebrus cannot be touched, and if you do too, give me your real names and telephone numbers for my black-list book, I visited your site as well as others. I may have missed it on others but the pen names I came across so far most were published on your site Mr hypocrite? Some of them even don’t at all have publishers’ names. Check Kochenaw, Lomitera, Ye-elamaye Tizita etc. and on Addis voice, Kuchye, Woy-ane etc. Abraha Belai, we must be able to criticise our politicians whether they are rulers or opposition. The silly talk Woyane would be happy if and when we criticise one another that was said a billion times has passed its sale-by-date. This is a crucial time. Don’t worry about the Seyes too, because if they too publish articles, they can defend themselves. But know that, I did the worst article against George Bush years ago when some of you got frightened of the FBI and removed it within 24 hours but guess what? I am still alive and kicking in London and still bashing wrong doers because I am not after any future position but to liberate our country. I left the flirting with individuals and parties for you and your likes. Period! Therefore, please clean up your own act before generalizing and warning others. By the way too, I’m glad Abraha Belai hasn’t changed his TPLF attitude. Otherwise, I would have never found him after all these 19 years and I would have never written this and fought about all of you out there. I think I deserve a thank you. As the Chinese say, May you all live in interesting times? Amen! Becher Yigtemen. Bye!
Long Live Mother Ethiopia
What would my supporters and enemies say too at: teferi_7@hotmail.com?