Source:
http://opennet.net/news/rethink-needed-web-censorship

Australia is moving to join China, North Korea and Iran in controlling what citizens are allowed to view on the internet.

Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy confirmed recently the government is pushing ahead to introduce a $44.2m internet censorship plan.

The plan involves two tiers - one level of mandatory filtering for all Australians and an optional level that will provide a “clean feed”, censoring adult material.

“We are talking about mandatory blocking, where possible, of illegal material,” Senator Conroy told a Senate Estimates Committee.

It is unclear what types of “illegal material” the government is targeting and how exactly the scheme will work.

There are fears from free-speech advocates the censorship could extend beyond child pornography to include social issues such as euthanasia, suicide, anorexia and radical political opinions.

The logistics of taming the internet beast are mind boggling.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is conducting a trial of filtering software.

Critics claim any filter will slow down the internet and require manual intervention to blacklist or approve particular sites.

It is also claimed that people will be able to circumvent the filters if they are determined to do so.

Everybody agrees child pornography should be censored.

Few people are comfortable however, with governments restricting access to non-conformist opinions.

The Federal Government’s apparent intention to do so is another example of the nanny state intruding where it is not welcome into people’s homes and lives.

Senator Conroy should scrap the plan and save Australia $44.2m.