AUSTRALIA will join China in implementing mandatory censoring of the internet
 

What the hell? :eek:


AUSTRALIA will join China in implementing mandatory censoring of the internet under plans put forward by the Federal Government.

The revelations emerge as US tech giants Google, Microsoft and Yahoo, and a coalition of human rights and other groups unveiled a code of conduct aimed at safeguarding online freedom of speech and privacy.

The government has declared it will not let internet users opt out of the proposed national internet filter.

The plan was first created as a way to combat child pronography and adult content, but could be extended to include controversial websites on euthanasia or anorexia.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...7-2862,00.html

Let's all move to Mexico.

There go the religious zealots again.

I thought only the US was the land of the religious-right and Christian zealots trying to control the masses and the bedroom?

nah - they are everywhere - Its a grand conspiracy dont ya know?

Get a room, will you two? :lol:

Hey, rightwingextremistwacko's don't do that! Ask tw, he knows. sheeeesh.

Re: child pornography, it's already illegal. You can't be in possession of it or be caught looking at it. So how is it the end of the world if they block it at the source? They'd arrest the dealers if they could, but it's the internet, so they can't.

I know, I know, I get the slippery slope argument. But if we took that to its logical conclusion we would never make any laws at all. Everything "could be extended" beyond the measure of its original intent. Hopefully there are counter-measures in place--like, say, a democratic process--that would allow the population to change things if it goes too far.

Call me a fascist, but I don't have a problem with this.

:notworthy

I would have a problem with this:

"The plan was first created as a way to combat child pronography and adult content, but could be extended to include controversial websites on euthanasia or anorexia."

That my friends is pure censorship.

I got that too, but she wrote it so well and with such conviction.

Next thing you know they are going to want to take away all their guns..... oh, never mind, they already did that. :D

But if I were the alarmist journalist inserting editorial comments into my "news" article, I could just as easily say, "The plan was first created as a way to combat child pornography and adult content, but could be extended to include foreign news sources and streaming movies rated higher than PG-13."

The government didn't threaten to extend the program, the writer just took it upon themselves to remind us of the things they hadn't done but might do.

Ok, I stand corrected. It must be some senationalized journalism caught up in the web of international wires. I thought it sounded pretty radical for you guys down under, but then again we do have Patriot Act 2.

First of all, as Clod says, blocking child porn is no big deal. I have no problem with it at all.

Second of all, as far as euthenasia is concerned, I don't agree with that, however the motivation would be a woman a few years ago who wanted to euthenase herself live online with people watching in order to raise awareness. Obviously no western government wants to be seen to be supporting euthenasia at this time.

With regard to anorexia, have you seen some of the sites available to anyone who wants to look? I wouldn't mind my kids not looking at stuff like that. I'd be just as happy if I didn't accidentally see it either.

At this point, I don't think this legislation will pass. It hasn't even hit the evening news yet, so it's obviously not something too many people are concerned about. I would suggest that if and when it becomes an issue of public debate, it may be passed with the opt-out option.

Australians wont care too much though, except they'll be upset if they think they wont be able to access porn. ;)