When Turkey decided that it was a good idea to censor what it considered “questionable or objectionable material” on the internet, many were outraged – just as many people in Australia are currently outraged over similar plans for Australia. The following AlJazeera story demonstrates just how – and how quickly – their filter became wildly distorted.
This is what we fear for Australia. Take special note of just how similar the list of material Turkey intended to ban is to the list of material Australia wishes to ban. Take note of the battle Turkey is having with companies like Google – the same company our communications minister seems determined to lock horns with at every turn.
Be afraid Australia. Be afraid. Despite what the minister tells about the “appropriate” checks and measures they plan to put in place, and the public consultation that will take place.
The public consultation that saw the Australian Christian Lobby receive a secret briefing from the department the day before the filter legislation was “shelved” while a review of the classification system took place. A review timed to coincide with the formation of the new Senate, to be determined in the upcoming federal election.
The public consultation that sees the minister label anyone who dares challenge the filter as a supporter of child pornography, and all rational “public” debate on the filter ignored.
Yeah – “public consultation”.
Be afraid.
(Special thanks to Craig Thomler for highlighting this video to the anti-filtering community).