Bonnie Malkin
London Telegraph
March 29, 2010
The US government has voiced concerned over Australia’s controversial plan to implement a countrywide internet filter.
Washington is worried about the impact of proposal, which would force internet service providers to block offensive material, including child pornography, bestiality and details on how to carry out criminal activity.
Opponents of the plan claim the scope of the material that could be filtered out is too wide and that the restrictions could be applied to media organisations reporting details of criminal activity.
As part of its assault on internet censorship by governments around the world, the US government has weighed in on the debate.
“Our main message of course is that we remain committed to advancing the free flow of information which we view as vital to economic prosperity and preserving open societies globally,” Michael Tran, a US State Department spokesman, said.
"We don't discuss the details of specific diplomatic exchanges, but I can say that in the context of that ongoing relationship, we have raised our concerns on this matter with Australian officials," he said.
The Australian government has refused to comment on the matter.
The proposed filter would make Australia one of the strictest internet regulators among the world's democracies, with some critics claiming it will put the country in the same league as China.
Earlier this month internet giants Google and Yahoo announced their opposition to the plan. The internet companies fear it will restrict access to legal information on subjects such as euthanasia, abortion and drug addiction.
While Google accepted there must be some limits on internet content, it condemned the Government's filtering approach as heavy-handed." We have a bias in favour of people's right to free expression," the post said.
The Obama administration's disapproval of the plan is a blow to Stephen Conroy, the Australian communications minister, who hopes to convince parliament to pass the law this year.
The filter also faces practical problems, with many considering it to be technologically unworkable and a waste of resources.
