NW Linux : blog

The Australian government is moving forward with plans to force Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) to filter or censor specific content from the internet. Unfortunately, if this act were to be passed into law, Australia would join with countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and China. All of these countries filter or restrict what their citizens can view on the Net.

The Electronic Frontiers Australia has published a website  called The Great Australian Internet Blackout. The site discusses what you can do to show your opposition to the bill and additional resources. However, I do not find any links to the government proposal. A one-sided argument is weak. In order for this movement to be effective, I believe that you must show people what the government is actually proposing to be effective. Either way, the Net should not be censored by anyone. If you do not want or like content on the web, talk to the people publishing that content.

When government begins to censor what people can see, regardless of moral content, they take away liberties and the ability for people to guide the government. It becomes a way for the government to take more control over the people.

Will Australia become another China in the near future? Probably not. But, it might get them one step closer to that point.