AUSTRALIA will join China in implementing mandatory censoring of the internet

TheMercenary · 10-30-2008, 02:07 PM

What the hell?

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

lumberjim · 10-30-2008, 02:10 PM

Let's all move to Mexico.

classicman · 10-30-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

The Australian Christian Lobby, however, has welcomed the proposals.

Managing director Jim Wallace said the measures were needed.

"The need to prevent access to illegal hard-core material and child pornography must be placed above the industry's desire for unfettered access," Mr Wallace said.

There go the religious zealots again.

TheMercenary · 10-30-2008, 02:40 PM

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

classicman · 10-30-2008, 03:16 PM

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

Shawnee123 · 10-30-2008, 03:29 PM

Get a room, will you two?

TheMercenary · 10-30-2008, 03:32 PM

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

Clodfobble · 10-30-2008, 04:38 PM

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.

classicman · 10-30-2008, 04:44 PM

TheMercenary · 10-30-2008, 04:44 PM

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.

classicman · 10-30-2008, 04:59 PM

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

TheMercenary · 10-30-2008, 05:14 PM

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

Clodfobble · 10-30-2008, 05:14 PM

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.

TheMercenary · 10-30-2008, 05:17 PM

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.

Aliantha · 10-30-2008, 05:53 PM

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.

10-30-2008, 02:07 PM	#1
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	AUSTRALIA will join China in implementing mandatory censoring of the internet What the hell? 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 __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

10-30-2008, 02:10 PM	#2
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	Let's all move to Mexico. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

10-30-2008, 02:40 PM	#4
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	I thought only the US was the land of the religious-right and Christian zealots trying to control the masses and the bedroom? __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

10-30-2008, 03:16 PM	#5
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	nah - they are everywhere - Its a grand conspiracy dont ya know? __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

10-30-2008, 03:29 PM	#6
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Get a room, will you two? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

10-30-2008, 03:32 PM	#7
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Hey, rightwingextremistwacko's don't do that! Ask tw, he knows. sheeeesh. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

10-30-2008, 04:38 PM	#8
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	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. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

10-30-2008, 04:44 PM	#9
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	__________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

10-30-2008, 04:59 PM	#11
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I got that too, but she wrote it so well and with such conviction. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

10-30-2008, 05:14 PM	#12
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Next thing you know they are going to want to take away all their guns..... oh, never mind, they already did that. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

10-30-2008, 05:17 PM	#14
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	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. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

10-30-2008, 05:53 PM	#15
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	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. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

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