A message to readers…
Below is my best effort at a letter on the subject of Internet censorship to Australia’s new Prime Minister.
It’s an open letter, prompted by the spectacle of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy arrogantly insisting that the Rudd Government’s ‘internet filter’ proposal would go ahead anyway.
The ‘Contact Us’ page on Julia Gillard’s own website, at the time of writing, is not accepting emails or letters by online form. Instead, correspondents are encouraged to write via by post to:
The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
If YOU have time and the inclination, writing direct to the Prime Minister – either via her website when it functions again or even better by snail mail – is well worth doing. Do it soon! Copy your letter to whoever you like, including your own MP. Send it to friends and encourage them to do the same!
You can use my letter (below) as a basis if you like – or even better write your own. Cut and paste material into it that concerns you especially. Feel free to ask hard questions. Freedom is what’s at stake.
If anyone believes there are errors in my letter – or wishes to suggest improvements – do post comments below.
Why not do something similar via your website, Facebook account, Twitter or whatever? Get the letters in – the more the better! Tell your friends, tell the world, write to the press and get on talk back radio.
As the Irish say… Good luck to us all!
Syd Walker
Far North Queensland
June 30th 2010
_________________________________________________________
Re: Mandatory Internet Censorship aka ‘Internet Filtering’
Dear Prime Minister
Congratulations on becoming Prime Minister.
As you know, one of the issues carried over from the Rudd Government is the topic of compulsory Internet censorship.
I wish to bring to your attention my strong objection to this proposal and urge you to withdraw it forthwith.
- The Rudd Government never made a convincing case for introducing this new and potentially pervasive form of censorship.
- The case that it could possibly be effective in achieving its stated objectives has never been made to the satisfaction of most informed Australians with an interest in this debate.
- There are concerns it would lead to misplaced confidence that appropriate parental supervision is unnecessary.
- There are concerns it will affect internet performance for all users
- There are concerns it will lead to the creation of insecure lists
- There are major concerns that ‘mission creep’ will occur over time; there can be no guarantee it will not happen.
Please drop plans to introducing mandatory Internet censorship and instead affirm your government’s commitment to net neutrality, personal privacy, data security, safety for children and individual freedom. They need not be competing objectives.
Efforts to introduce a single uniform filter should be re-directed to reviving and building on the Howard Government’s free-offer of voluntary filters. Voluntarism, consent, education and the provision of appropriate tools to the public are the keys to making the Internet safe for the vulnerable while keeping it free for citizens as a whole.
Please do not destroy your new government’s reputation for rationality and proper consultation by pursuing this highly unpopular and somewhat absurd measure.
Instead, please use your role to guide Australia into a more intelligent policy debate about unprecedented and complex issues, which affect us all, concerning the appropriate regulation of telecommunications to secure multiple objectives including privacy, security, freedom, transparency and safety.
Yours sincerely
Syd Walker
Queensland
