Soapbox

Internet filter splits opinion

Nov 13 07:48am

Greg Cary - a Sunrise All-Star - has backed the government's plan to censor 'unwanted content' from the internet for Australians.

Flip Shelton, writer, says that the censorship won't work as the illegal websites will always find a way to get through.

What do you think? Should the government try to restrict the worst parts of the internet? Tell us below...

Related links

Your Internet filtering FAQs

Senator Conroy responds to net filter fears

Net censorship debate speeds up

Is internet censorship ever ok?

45 Comments Report Abuse

11. freedomofspeechonline - Nov 13 09:47am

It is ridiculous that they had a one sided view of this issue. They have done this testing already in Tasmania without informing the public. The studies have shown that the internet speeds were affected by 20-80% and that over 10% of the "inappropriate" content was still getting through the filters.

12. techdribble - Nov 13 09:48am

The government is basically trying to say you are incapable of knowing whats best for your children, that you are not a responsible parent so they want to be a parent thru legislation and draconian filtering that exist only in places like China and Iran. Stephen Conroy is a liar and incompetent

13. stuart_edwards - Nov 13 09:52am

Our Government is taking the lead from China, the UK and North Korea to censor access. One of the reasons for this is undoubtedly to stem the flow of the truth when it comes to what is really going on in the world. Websites such as infowars.com will be blocked. Big Brother is here.

14. thalass@rocketmail.com - Nov 13 09:59am

It's a small step from this "filter" to the Great Firewall of China.

It's my job as a parent to teach my kids how to use the internet safely and sensibly, not the government's. China blocks access to wikipedia, the regular google search engine, etc. Keep the masses stupid and paranoid! Not good.

15. shinymichael - Nov 13 10:00am

Seems like Kochie has been told to soften his views (without knowing the facts). The real issues must be the focus here:
1 - That mandatory filtering is a step backwards for a free Australia. Opt-In only.
2 - Any filtering system will slow down our already poor internet speeds.
Facts please!

16. cowleybeach - Nov 13 10:04am

As a childless couple we already have to finance the "baby bonus" whilst paying more tax than a couple with kids. Now the govt wants to protect the children I don't have with yet more of my taxes and while censoring what I can read. Can someone explain the logic here because I can't see any.

17. violetsvision@ymail.com - Nov 13 10:10am

Why don't people listen to the industry specialists on this? For example, the md of telstra and iinet aren't being listened too! Only Saudi Arabia and china have filters like we are putting in.

http://www.zdnet.com.au/insight /communications/soa/ISP-level-conte nt-filtering-won-t-work/0,139023754 ,339

18. neilmc@rocketmail.com - Nov 13 10:14am

ABS stats show 2/3 of Aust internet connected households don't heve children under 15. Why are we filtering the whole country. You can already sign up to a filtered ISP. You can supervise kids and there are PC based filters. This is a complete waste.

19. bates_t - Nov 13 11:11am

Dear Sunrise staff,
If your computer stops working, do you go and see Senator Conroy, or do you go and talk to one of the hundreds of thousands of IT people who are opposed to this filter due to the technical absurdity of it?
Conroy does not have a clue what this will do, and apparently doesnt care.

20. magsdags - Nov 13 11:28am

I missed this show so cannot comment on what was said BUT I am 100% behind NOT having our Pathetically Slow Internet degraded further by Conroys Filter!!! That is NOT what the Labor Party promised prior to the election! Why waste over 100 Million for a filter that will not work? Pathetic.And I d

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