Any hopes that a new Prime Minister might mean that plans for an Australian Internet filter would not be enacted are fading as PM Julia Gillard has indicated that the censorship initiative will move forward.
Speaking to ABC Radio, as reported by The Age, Gillard stated, “Images of child abuse, child pornography - they are not legal in our cinemas.” She continued, “Should you be able to see them on the internet? I think that that's the kind of moral, ethical question at the heart of this.”
Filter critic Mark Newton, a network engineer, reacted to Gillard’s statement by stating, “I call on Julia Gillard to spend a little bit more time listening to the policy's critics, instead of dismissing them with silly throwaway lines about child pornography.”
The Christian group FamilyVoice however was “delighted” with Gillard’s stance. A spokesperson added, “… why should you treat the internet differently from any form of communications like films and books and so on.”
Thanks Ryan!
Comments
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
It seems like Australia is actively tyring to lose its first-world status. Do they really think stifling information and promoting rampant censorship is beneficial for the country? I feel for any Australian gamers out there. You already can't get treated like adults because your country won't get an 18 rating, and now your goverment is trying to implement its own Great Firewall of China. We'll miss you when your government decides that this website promotes anti-government opinions and blocks it.
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
I'm not at all surprised that a Christian group with the word 'family' in its title supports this.
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
"Christian" groups. Most of these groups are more facist than Christian; the religion is just a front.
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
"why should you treat the internet differently from any form of communications like films and books and so on.”"
Because for starters they are just different on a fundamental level. Altrhough since when does Australia censor books?
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Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
It seems that the whole "for the children" thing is the 21st century version of "the Jew". In days past, governments and organizations would enact tyrranical policy in the name of protecting against the scurge of things like "the Jews". Nowadays, the same kind of tyrranical crap is being foisted upon us in the name of "the children".
How soon before there are calls to censor the internet of images of cigarette smoking or dangerous driving? We have to protect the children, right?
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
I'm not sure that's such an apt comparison. One has brought about censorship. The other, violence in various forms to Jews. And "tryannical"? Hm, there's got to be a fallacy for this, I just can't pin it down. Comparing some censoring mentality to anti-semitism. I know there's one, I just can't remember it. Oh, and before I forget, Godwin's Law.
And the last part is slipperly slope.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." -Albert Einstein
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." -Albert Einstein
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
Note to Australian PM:
I agree child porn is and absolutely should be illegal. That's what your criminal prosecution laws are for.
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
But that would require work, work they don't want to do.
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
I think Australia needs a direct democracy more than any other 1st world democratic nation.
GameSnooper
Re: New Australian PM Backs Internet Filter
This is great news! I really hope they go ahead with this. I can't wait until it completely and utterly fails. Oh, it will be horrible for the people of Australia, but at least we'll have a certifiable example of how this just doesn't work. At all.