I don’t. And I’ve been reminded of this now that I’ve finally tuned in to the debate over the govt’s proposed internet filtering system. Do you watch Q&A on ABC1? It’s on at 9:30pm on Thursday night and I think it’s the best television of the week. Last week’s show was particularly brilliant, with excellent panellists and an informative, fiesty debate and discussion led by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy about the proposed system.
Take a look at the clips to bring yourself up to speed on the issue if you’re not already, it’s fascinating. The audience is clearly hostile to Stephen Conroy and keeps laughing at him but I empathise with his position (much to my surprise). He clears up many of my own misconceptions on the issue. Personally, I do NOT believe in total freedom of speech if that means everyone has the right to read, write and look at material which is exploitative, illegal or racist. What do you think?
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No Filter
Top Comments
The part I have difficulty with is the lack of transparency in the process. If your site is blocked that seems to be it. There will be no avenue of appeal and you won't be able to legally find out if your site is blocked. While the list of proposed blocked sites is on Wikileaks I have been unable to access it so can't comment on the number of silly mistakes. There was mention of a Queensland dentist.
Also, one person's pornography can be seen as quite harmless to someone else. I am reminded of the story of an American school girl whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. The girl tried to access information on the subject on the net but the school had blocked all sites that included the word 'breast'. Sad really, but an indication of the problems with electronic filtering.
Also try and get the word SOCIALISM through a lot of web filters. You'll fail, as hidden within the word is the name of a product included in a lot of spaam emails.
As several people have said teenagers will get round any restrictions if they want to and blocking P2P file sharing will ensure they do. Has he heard of proxy servers?
A lot more complex issue than Stephen Conroy is making out I'm afraid. Everything I've read suggests that child pornography is disseminated through encrypted and FTP sites so will not be affected.
Maryann, my problem is that if it is in the public arena it can still be taken as fact by some and I feel that may be more dangerous than it being an evil underground presence.
I just feel that it's hurtful and disrespectful to people that died in (and people that survived) Th Holocaust for that rubbish to be printed for people to read as fact.
What do you think about David Irving and revisionist histories Mia?