新西兰英语 794 GCSB

 　　The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) is our spy organisation¹. At the moment, it can only legally spy on foreigners in New Zealand. However this organisation made a mistake spying on Kim Dotcom because he is a permanent resident. Also, a report to the government in March this year showed that the GCSB had spied on 88 New Zealanders in the 9 years before 2012.

　　Now the government wants to make changes – amendments³ – to the GCSB to include the right to spy on New Zealanders for the police or SIS (Security Intelligence Service).

　　Yesterday, thousands of people marched in protest against the GCSB Amendment² Bill. Many Labour and Green Party MPs joined the protests. Some people who marched said that New Zealanders should feel very worried about these changes. They argued that New Zealand soldiers fought in two world wars for our democracy and these changes would take away our right to privacy.

　　We now know that New Zealand is one the 5 ‘Eyes’ belonging to the Prism network. Some New Zealanders are worried that information about our own people will be passed to the US.

　　On the other hand, the March report said that nearly all countries with a parliamentary democracy have an organisation like the GCSB which can collect information about its citizens. In this day and age, it is important for our national security.

　　Listen to September 27th 2012 to hear more about Kim Dotcom and the GCSB.

　　Important Vocabulary

　　?There are many other words for spying e.g. surveillance, intelligence, e-mail / phone interception⁴, cyber surveillance. Check that you know these words.

　　?There are other words for privacy e.g. civil liberties, civil rights. Check that you know the meanings.

　　Questions

　　1.What is the Prism network? Can you guess the other countries in the Prism network? What do they do?

　　2.Do you think the GCSB should be able to spy on New Zealanders?

1 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

2 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

3 amendments   

（法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案

参考例句：

• The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments. 委员会在起草修正案时没有充分征求他人的意见。
• Please propose amendments and addenda to the first draft of the document. 请对这个文件的初稿提出修改和补充意见。

4 interception   

n.拦截；截击；截取；截住，截断；窃听

参考例句：

• Aerial photography can provide valuable information on precipitation, evapotraspiration, interception, and runoff. 航空摄影可提供有关降水量、蒸发蒸腾量、入渗和径流量的有价值的资料。
• Light interception and distribution in hedgerow orchards with different alleyway widths is indicated in Fig. 56. 图56显示篱壁果园不同行间宽度的光能截取和分配的情况。