Queensland Law Society

Let's Get Censored

The Federal Government is pushing ahead with a rather controversial plan to filter specific 'blacklisted' websites.  It's a decision that has been widely criticised, with many in the online community saying it amounts to unnecessary censorship, but child protection groups are backing the plan.

Under the plan, an Internet filter will block out offensive and illegal material, such as bestiality, child sex abuse, sexual violence, and instructions for crime and drug use.  The material would be blacklisted as refused classification (RC).

Leading the criticism is Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA).  Its spokesman, Colin Jacobs has been quoted as saying that "Although it (the document detailing the government's proposal) may address some technical issues, what it leaves out is far more important - exactly what will be blocked, who will decide, and why is it being attempted in the first place."

In opposition to the Government's plan, EFA is running the No Clean Feed campaign, which encourages those with a similar view to voice their objection by contacting local parliamentary representatives, Senator Stephen Conroy (the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy), and even personal internet service providers (ISPs).

Internet search heavyweight Google has also contributed to the debate.  In their official blog, they highlighted their concern with the Government's decision to introduce mandatory ISP filtering saying "the scope of the content to be filtered is too wide".

 While some limits are obvious - such as child pornography (no Australian should want that to be available on the Internet), the RC will also filter material that is socially and politically controversial - perceived 'grey areas' such as educational material on safer drug use and information on euthanasia and abortion for example.  Such content may not be every Internet users' cup of tea, but there is a strong feeling that the Government should not have the right to block content which can inform debate on current issues.

As Google says, "freedome of speech is essential to the running of a democratic society".

But let's not forget those who support the filtering.

Child protection group, Child Wise has back the Government's plan, saying that while it will not be a simple, guaranteed solution for what is a difficult problem, it calls for ISPs to take responsibility for the prevention of illegal material reaching children who are often more web-savvy than their parents.

The plan does not remove a parent's responsibility to monitor what their children are viewing online, but according to Child Wise CEO Bernadette McMenamin, "the Internet has gotten 'out of control' and needs some regulation.

The legislation goes to parliament next year.

To find out more about the plan visit:

• Conroy announces mandatory internet filters to protect children (ABC online, 2007)
• Labor's plan for cyber-safety
• Internet censorship plan gets the green light (SMH online, 2009)
• Measures to increase accountability and transparency for Refused Classification material (DBCDE, 2009)

Tell us what you think...