Wed 17 Dec 2008 The proposed Australian internet clean feed is immoral (John Bentley)
It is lamentable that the first line of defence to the proposed Internet clean feed has come from computer technicians (as technicians). The proposal is not limited to blocking child pornography but all illegal content. Even if the proposed internet clean feed worked, completely and only blocking illegal content, and not effecting speed, it would be immoral (that which ought not be done, for the general benefit). Sometimes speech should be, and is, justly limited. However, there are many expressions that are presently illegal which constitute an unjust limit to free speech. It ought not be illegal to: make historical claims contrary to evidence (eg holocaust denial); to vilify persons on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexuality or other group characteristics; to express or promote hate; to depict sexual violence; to make false moral claims which the majority disagree with (eg advocate sexual violence); to advocate suicide, to advocate terrorism, or to express that which is offensive. Furthermore, any content that an adult should be free to access should be free for a child to access. It ought be illegal for a parent to limit a child's access to content. All of us, adult or child, should have access to content that may harm or disturb us. Time and Place for Philorum Group @ Central 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month. 18:15 for a 18:30 Start. Finish 21:30 (Feel free to come and go at any point during the night.) The Members Bar, Floor 1 (Keep winding up to the top of the stairs.) The Gaelic Club 64 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills Sydney, Australia (100 metres from a Central railway station exit.) Cost: Free (Patronise the bar). http://www.philorum.org/centralFutureCalendar.html _______________________________________________ SydPhil mailing list [email protected] List Info: http://lists.arts.usyd.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/sydphil NEW LIST ARCHIVE: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
