06 Jul 11 | Digital Freedom, Index Index, minipost
Australian service providers, including Telstra and Optus, will voluntarily block websites deemed by the government as showing and disseminating child pornography. Those who attempt to access the blacklisted sites will be redirected to the site of the International Criminal Police Organisation. Wikileaks revealed that on the blacklist are some gay and straight porn sites, fringe religious groups, and Wikipedia sites.
12 Oct 10 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has renewed her support for a controversial new web filter, saying the measure was driven by a “moral question“. The proposed filter will block access to material such as rape, drug use, bestiality and child abuse. Internet giants Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have criticised the plans, saying they set a worrying precedent for further censorship. There are also fears that the restrictions could be applied to legitimate information on issues such as euthanasia, abortion and drug addiction, as well as media reporting on criminal activity.
13 Sep 10 | Index Index, minipost
The government has opted to outlaw a pro-euthanasia advert on the grounds that it promotes suicide. The advert shows an actor speaking of suffering and disease, asking the government to listen to those who want to practice assisted suicide. It has been more than ten years since a pro-euthanasia advert was broadcast in Australia.
17 Aug 10 | Index Index, minipost
Australia’s ruling Labor party has called for smartphone applications and games to face the national censor. A loophole in the Classification Act (1995) means that games distributed or playable on mobile phones, including the Apple iPhone, are not submitted to the national Classification Board, which classifies films and computer games before they are released to the public.
