Aussie Minister Backs Down on Internet Censorship 211
gballard writes "After the constant furore raised by rights groups, ISPs and concerned citizens over the Australian Government's planned 'internet filter,' it seems that Australia Communications Minister Stephen Conroy is finally backing down. In a recent interview, the Minister conceded that many of the sites blocked by the filter were legitimate businesses (including, in one case, a Queensland dentist's homepage) and changed his story on whether the planned filter would restrict 'Refused Classification' websites or use the broader (and more vague) criterion of 'prohibited.'
It's a positive step, but as the article above suggests, at the moment it's only one crack in the defenses of a censorship plan with broad ramifications for Australian internet users."
To view the show (Score:5, Informative)
http://news.sbs.com.au/insight/episode/index/id/59#watchonline [sbs.com.au]
The hour long show which had the minister and various opinions on the filter.
Yes Minister (Score:5, Informative)
Labor is playing the same game with Fielding [wikipedia.org] as Howard did when he "wanted" to implement mandatory filters (that his party are now blocking in opposition). There were similar circumstances for Howard at the time (ie: a censorship nut holding a deciding vote on more important legislation). Here let me spell it out.
Labour have a full majority in the house that the Lib's can't block, (that's what makes them the government of the day). However they need the support of the all the Green's and the two independents (ie a coalition) to pass legislation through the senate that the Lib's cannot block. The Lib's also need a coalition to sucessfully block but only have to find one senator to join their coalition if they want to block the legislation.
The two independents holding the balance of power are Xenophon (anti-gambling platform), and Fielding (anti-abortion platform), both wanted a mandatory filter. Labor set up a "trial" to keep them onside for as long as possible. Xenophon gave up on the balcklist (perhaps smelling a rat), Fielding has nowhere to go because he is now in the position of voting for a blacklist that bans his supporters (anti-abortionists). An independent's vote is no longer of much value since the major reform is out of the way ready for the next election, the Lib's, Everyone except Fielding is happy because they have collectively screwed "Mr 2%" for winning on their preference fuckery, KRuddy is happy because Conroy is showing loyalty instead of challenging him in the back rooms like Costello did with Howard, Libs are happy because Labor can be tarred as censors, Labor is happy because Libs can be tarred with the same hypocricy....get my theory.....it's a YES MINISTER episode if ever I saw one.
Oh and check out the nude pictures of Hanson, unfortunately it's only funny because it's happening to someone I don't like.
Re:How long will it take people to learn? (Score:5, Informative)
The best people to have in power are the ones that don't want it.
Bugger all backdown (Score:5, Informative)
In fact there has been virtually no backdown. The list will still contain "refused classification" material and be mandatory. Keep in mind that Australia has no "R" rating (18yrs +) for games and the states of Australia have no "X" rating for pornography. These things are "refused classification".
Thus any computer game deemed unsuitable for a 15 year old (highest rating for a game is M) will be censored for all. Pornography, pictures of abortions, information on euthanasia or drugs and anything that is deemed illegal or "too gross" for an R rating gets censored. Too bad if it has a political angle (such as abortions, euthanasia or drugs). If the politics is deemed offensive, it will be refused classification and banned.
Re:To view the show (Score:5, Informative)
Maybe people need to be more assertive in trying to reverse that argument? Start spreading the idea that anyone for filtering is just hiding the fact abuse continues to happen anyway only that it's pushed underground.
Start using arguments such as anyone defending the filter is allowing child porn to continue as a dirty little secret that's kept out of the publics minds and that they're basically okaying it as long as the general public doesn't stumble across it or know about it.
It's eqaully a bit of a stretch, but they're not playing a game of truths and facts here.
That said it may not even be necessary, whilst people like the guy you mention are already using this kind of argument it doesn't seem to be getting them far for the most part. Governments seem to finally be getting the idea that these plans aren't such a good idea and are backing down a bit. Perhaps just keeping up the pressure as is is good enough!
Media footage exposing this mans lies... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:How long will it take people to learn? (Score:3, Informative)
There is a Dutch translation of Machiavelli, which has as title "The Ruler" (De heerser), instead of "The Prince", where the translator based his choice of wording that the original title "Il Principe" originally means more than someone of noble blood who is the son of a king.
The word "prince" can mean both in English - son of a king, or ruler (of a principality).
Re:How long will it take people to learn? (Score:3, Informative)
--Article 10, Treaty of Tripoli
Re:Laws you Can pass, but SHOULD NOT? (Score:2, Informative)
As most of us have learned, too many politicians, at least here in the US, hope that most people will NOT show up to vote.
Voting in Australia is compulsory. Those that do not show up to vote get hit with a fine.
Re:To view the show (Score:4, Informative)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/02/eu_filtering_framework/ [theregister.co.uk]
Re:To view the show (Score:2, Informative)
There are whole sites full of such pictures. [purenudism.com]
I hope the fuckers running that site all get ebola and DIE.
Oh, I have no problem with the fact that it's videos of nude children. If nudist families want to get together and run beauty pageant, including teen or pre-teen beauty pageants, that's fine by me. They are perfectly free to be nudists if they like, they certainly don't consider themselves victims, and nobody is any victim of any crime there. And I have no problem with people selling what are essentially ordinary family home videos, even if they happen to be nudist family videos with nude children. And I don't even care if someone buys them and sits alone in his parent's basement whacking off to images of naked kiddies.
So what am I bitching about? Their FAQ:
G3: What is DRM video protection and how will it affect me?
To prevent unauthorized distribution of our pageant videos we have implemented Microsoft Digital Rights Management (more info) encoding on all of our *.WMV files. Through initial license acquisition using your Username and Password, the protection makes sure that only our premium members are authorized to view the videos. There are specific software and operating system requirements to play these encrypted files.
S1: What are the system requirements to play your videos?
Due to the fact that DRM video encryption is a Microsoft-based product, at this time our videos will only play on Microsoft Windows Operating Systems. The following Windows versions are 100% compatible: Vista, XP, 2000, Me, NT, 98, 95. Within 6-12 months we will provide an encryption alternative that will support Mac OS systems.
S2: What video player must I use to play the videos?
Our videos will ONLY play on relatively recent versions of Microsoft Media Player. If your Media Player is out-dated, you might be prompted to update. To experience best quality and performance, we highly recommend upgrading to the latest version.
I was never going to buy order videos in the first place, but even if I wanted to I would need to go look for a torrent. I have a Windows machine, but I do not have Microsoft's Media Player installed, I do not WANT Microsoft's Media Player, and in fact I have explicitly deleted the DRM support that Microsoft shoves into the Operating System itself and into the browser, I have deleted the DRM system files such as DRMCLIEN.DLL and BLACKBOX.DLL and DRMV2CLT.DLL and I created an empty read-only file named "DRM" in the Windows\All_Users folder to BLOCK the operating system from re-creating the fucking DRM folder with that name. I refuse to buy DRM crap, and if I do accidentally wind up with a DRM file and try to play it, I have done everything I can to lock it out from trying to silently activate the DRM system.
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