Dear Forum Members (especially in Australia)

I have just seen this story on the BBC website and it seems to me that the Australian government is trying to use backdoor methods to censor and possibly take (political) control of the web.

BBC News - Australia introduces web filters

I understand that the Australian government has tried before to bring Australians access to the web under it's control but public opinion/backlash has previously stopped it.

However, it seems that now the government may have a plausible way to foist it's protection upon it's citizens.


UK Bob

PS. As I am on the other side of the world, my perception of what is happening in Australia may be wrong - any Australian member can confirm or correct my view of current events.

France also plans to hop aboard the censorship wagon (while Germany tries to get off):

France Goes Ahead to Filtering the Internet - ExtraTorrent.com The World's Largest BitTorrent System

So then, if the ISP doesn't like or agree with the site, they can ban them?

Let's face it, web-censoring is going to happen everywhere within the next few years. Privacy isn't really an option anymore.

College students used to represent the intelligent voices of the future. Thanks to them, you don't have to worry about being drafted. Or segregated. And you can vote. They were the ones who proved that not everything is inevitable.

Many of my contemporaries have said that we would have been out of the Middle East years ago if we still had a draft, thereby forcing the issue onto college students. We came from a generation that believed everyone has a duty to their country (ala Kennedy, though it didn't start with him). Some served in uniform, many others became involved in issues that concerned the nation. And they made changes.

I, too, believe that web censoring is going to be attempted by every government. As to whether or not it remains in place is up to the people.

Well said Blackhorse 70V

As you quite rightly said, students have enabled democratic and social progress to continue throughout western countries. Students have even shown in China (aka Tienanmen Square) that corruption and privilege for the few cannot continue.

However, our western governments are taking away our freedoms under the guise of protecting us while at the same time pushing us into disastrous conflicts.

I am also sure that web censoring/control will take place because the Internet allows the free flow of information which governments want to control.

Can we stop this and ultimately protect our freedom?



UK Bob

Well Guys

This is what Internet freedom is all about: BBC News - Latvian 'Robin Hood' hacker leaks bank details to TV


UK Bob

That's a perfect example!

The Internet also allows us to communicate across borders. So long as we can talk with one another, we can get past much of the bs put out by the State Dept or Home Office.

How much different things might be if we could read arabic or or if more Iraqi read english.

Quote from the Getup! Action for Australia Campaign site:
'When the Federal Government made a 2007 election promise that would force internet providers to block access to websites which were 'Refused Classification', GetUp immediately began a grassroots movement against the threat to Australia's online freedom. We commissioned a petition that brought support from over 140,000 Australians; flooded Q and A with questions that challenged the legitimacy of Stephen Conroy's policy; and raised over $125,000 to put our Censordyne ad on the air. The Opposition and the Greens have both decided not to support the policy - meaning that the government is unable to pass the legislation. Special thanks to EFA for their partnership on this campaign.'

I needed some good news today!

Congradulations to all from Down Under. It seems that the timing for this couldn't be better, in light of the plans to provide broadband throughout the country. Every bit of freedom that remains or arises in one country serves to benefit us all.