Soapbox

Is internet censorship ever ok?

Oct 29 11:01am

- Filtering of the internet, as planned by Senator Stephen Conroy, will be mandatory in all homes and schools across the country.

The clean feed will censor material that is "harmful and inappropriate" for children.

While many find this plan an unfortunate necessity, others are claiming the plan is heavy-handed and even a threat to democracy.

What do you think of the plan to censor certain elements of the internet?
Tell us below...

++ UPDATED 10.50am 29 October 2008

As nearly all the comments below are criticising the internet filtering plan, we are seeking more information on the plan and Senator Conroy's defence of the proposal.

Software filters which can be installed by on your own PC are available now at netalert.gov.au

A popular site rousing support to block the plan is at nocleanfeed.com

Senator Conroy plans a two-tier approach - the first tier forcing ISPs to filter 'illegal' content using a blacklist of URLs.
For those who opt-in to the second tier, but will also restrict adult material.

Read the experts' response to viewers' most common questions here.

Read the response of Senator Conroy's office here

90 Comments Report Abuse

11. philwright001 - Oct 29 08:51am

Welcome to the dark ages!
This proposed legislation is a threat to our ability to make choices of our own in society.
Rating is useful and constructive but Censorship is destructive in so many ways.

12. philwright001 - Oct 29 08:52am

My greatest concern is that along with the dictatorship by forced censorship we are being censured, lose our freedom of choice; with the penultimate result of driving 'extreme' and 'illegal' materials underground and to a realm where they are less able to be monitored!

13. djromanov2 - Oct 29 08:54am

A very slippery slope to a totalitarian state.

14. philwright001 - Oct 29 08:56am

Kochie
I am flabberghasted beyond belief with your statements this morning. I did not realise that you were so nieve on the topic of communications, media and censorship.
Please become informed before making such rash and uninformed comments on such an important subject!

15. stevemcivic - Oct 29 08:57am

Pro anorexia and pro suicide sites are abhorrent as are dictatorships, a governments that treats it's citizens like children by removing their ability to make their own decisions and government censorship. continued below....

16. roxburgh24 - Oct 29 08:58am

Option 1 Government gives every one free broardband internet to their homes as well as no line connection fees, then I'm happy to be censored.
option 2 I have to pay for internet access as well as line conection fees, then the government can piss off with their censorship ideas

17. philwright001 - Oct 29 08:59am

Rating is responsible and Censorship is control without benefit.
We can't afford to let the minority extreme control and dictate to the majority. Speak up and email a politician today.
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/mem bers/mi-alpha.asp & http://www.pm.gov.au/contact/index. cfm

18. stevemcivic - Oct 29 09:00am

I am an adult, Kevin Rudd is my equal not my superior why does he have the right to decide what I can and cannot see. It is a parents responsibility to protect their children, If Mr Rudd is serious about protecting our children give parents their rights back. Public education is his responsibility.

19. hayess98 - Oct 29 09:03am

This cencorship is a waste of time and money. Kids are smart these days and will work out how to get what they want anyways. I think the government should stop wasting money on stupid things like this and help the people in need like the old aged who have paid taxes and now haven't enough to surviv

20. allan2126 - Oct 29 09:07am

The Previous Government provided a valid product at tax payer expense that achieves the goal of protecting children from the bad sites on the net. Senator Conroy seeks to allow his Right Wing extremist colleagues Nick Xenophon and Steve Fielding to dictate what legal aged Australians have access to.

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