--please circulate widely--
INTERNET CENSORSHIP
Submission to government inquiry:
Help needed
I am currently putting together a submission for the Australian Council for
Lesbian & Gay Rights (ACGLR ) to the Senate Select Committee on Information
Technologies appointed earlier this month.
The committee's parameters are to:
. evaluate the development of self-regulatory codes in the information
industries;
. monitor the personal, social and economic impact of continuing
technological change created by industries and services utilising information
technologies;
. examine the Government's decision to establish a regulatory framework
relating to illegal or offensive material published and transmitted through
online services such as the Internet: and
. inquire into and report on such other matters as may be referred to it by
the Senate.
The ACGLR is concerned that the Government's proposals will impact adversely on
gay & lesbian Australian Internet users, in particular that access to websites
and newsgroups will be blocked more extensively than it already is and that
email will be blocked. Further that sites addressing health concerns,
particularly those aimed at gay & lesbian teenagers, are being blocked now and
this will be entrenched by the government's proposals with few if any
safeguards.
For more on the government's proposals see the Senate Committee's page at
http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/it_ctte/index.htm
I am seeking information about experiences that Internet users have had with
censorship, especially of the blocking of websites, newsgroups and email.
This can be of gay & lesbian sites or other sites such as breast cancer or
HIV/AIDS information sites.
What I need to know is:
. what was blocked
. a description of the content that was blocked
. what blocked it, do you know which filter it was?
. where you were accessing the Internet from (home, school, office etc.)
. details on any adverse effects on yourself or organisations you represent
as a result of blocking
. where you are (state etc.) and who you are
Such detailed information is vital to the success of the submission.
The deadline for submissions to the Committee is April 30 so I would appreciate
swift responses.
I have a webpage with further information and links on this topic at
http://www.rainbow.net.au/~canning/censorship
cheers
Paul Canning <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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