US 'concerned' over proposed web filter

29 Mar 2010, 10:29 am   -   Source: SBS staff and agencies
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The US has raised concerns over the Rudd Government's proposed Internet filter (Reuters)

The US has raised concerns over the Rudd Government's proposed Internet filter (Reuters)

The US has reportedly questioned the Rudd Government's plans to introduce an Internet filter, saying the move is contrary to some key principles of the Obama Administration.

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The US has reportedly questioned the Rudd Government's plans to introduce an Internet filter, saying the move is contrary to some key principles of the Obama Administration.

The Australian newspaper reports the US State Department has discussed the filter with its Australian counterparts, stressing the strength of the bilateral relationship.

Mainly, the department says a filtered Internet is stops the spread of economic growth and global security.

'Close partners'

US State Department spokesman Noel Clay told the newspaper: "The US and Australia are close partners on issues related to cyber matters generally, including national security and economic issues."

"The US Government's position on internet freedom issues is well known, expressed most recently in Secretary Clinton’s January 21st address," Mr Clay says.

"We are committed to advancing the free flow of information, which we view as vital to economic prosperity and preserving open societies globally."

US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has embarked on a diplomatic mission to encourage freedom of speech via the Internet, saying the US stands "for a single internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas".

In her address at the start of the year, Ms Clinton slammed web censorship.

List of opponents growing

"...Technologies with the potential to open up access to government and promote transparency can also be hijacked by governments to crush dissent and deny human rights," Ms Clinton says.

The US State Department is the latest addition to a list of vocal opponents of the web filter plan, including web giant Google, Civil Liberties Australia and Save the Children.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says the filter is necessary to stop the spread of obscene material, such as child pornography.

The Liberal party has called the proposal 'unworkable and ineffective', and says adult supervision is the best way to protect children from inappropriate content.

 

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Chucky

Chuck - from Sydney, 2 years ago

Yes well, I am glad to see most people are now waking up to the fact that Australia has been overrun by "some force" of fascism.
Remember George Bush anyone?
When 911 happened, that is when we saw US law come to Australia on a daily basis.
Australia is NOT a democracy. It is ruled by OIL tycoons that have only 1 thing on their mind. CONTROL THE PEOPLE. The censorship is part of their plan.
There is a lot more to this than any of you realize. Corporate Fascism = OIL WAR = Control.

Lismore Liz

Marlene Hastings - from Lismore, 2 years ago

Can be said in a few words. - FURTHER LIMITATIONS AND CONTROL OF OUR FREEDOM. What are Governments afraid of? Also... how far will they go with filter? How would we know WHAT is being filtered once it is set in place? Will its' talons reach Media?

Who will stop this madness

Lin - from Sydney, 2 years ago

Obviously the internet filter plan is the most stupid idea so far by Australlian government, a complete waste of our tax dollars and completely unnecessary. When will the Australian government finally get that some things do not require interference from the government. I think Kevin should grab his chance on the 1st of April and announce this whole idea was an April fools joke.

Has Merit, But We Must Still Say No

Michael - from Perth, 2 years ago

Although I'm opposed to censorship in practically every form, I do agree that these "legal" Japanese "child porn rape cartoons" which are the primary issue here, should not be viewable by anyone. They warp minds quite literally. However the precedence to have one thing censored means they can easily step it up to censoring "anti-social" things such as graffiti websites. So we must say no to all censorship. Also I believe "Internet is stops" is a grammatical error [feel free to edit this out]

Wake up Australia

Ian - from Perth, 2 years ago

I was initially in favour of the ban. However with more reading one begins to understand the issue is about the power of the state on this proposed legislation Over the past 15 years we have watched our civil liberties being erode by spin doctors from the bureaucracy giving us justification for powerful legislation that has given affect to a significant loss of our freedoms. As once said, the difference between a free society and a fascist state is a pen and three minutes. Wake up Australia.

Mr

Grahame - from Sydney, 2 years ago

Would Mr Conroy please explain to me if and how their definition of obscene is the same as mine? Oh thats right, no explanation needed --- just an imposition followed by punishment by a government not concerned with personal freedom. Now who else sounds like that? Also can anybody show me where prohibition has actually worked ?? (anything, anywhere)

Censorship

Lachlan - from Geelong, 2 years ago

we cannot allow this the become a reality, once the government starts to censor what we access when will it stop?

US 'concerned'

John - from NSW, 2 years ago

While I don’t agree with the filter I think the real issue here is that could be potentially allowing the US to shape our governments policy on various issues. I think many Australians are opposed to our nation becoming the 51st? US state. I can see why our government wants to take action on certain internet content and its access but they need to look at other options whilst not being pressured into decisions by other nations. Where is our backbone?

Proven

Michael - from Queensland, 2 years ago

Which part of "proven to be useless" does Stephen Conroy not understand? What advice is he receiving, and from whom, that is causing him to persist down this path? Is he so blind to the facts? How much of my / our money will be spent on this before they admit failure? LET THE INSANITY STOP.

Censorship

Craig - from Sydney, 2 years ago

We have much more to lose than we have to gain by allowing such a futile piece of legislation to slip through

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