[MD] On the road to serfdom

[Platt Holden]

>From heroldsun.com. au

October 29, 2008

"AUSTRALIA will join China in implementing mandatory censoring of the 
internet under plans put forward by the Federal Government.

"The revelations emerge as US tech giants Google, Microsoft and Yahoo, and 
a coalition of human rights and other groups unveiled a code of conduct 
aimed at safeguarding online freedom of speech and privacy.

"The government has declared it will not let internet users opt out of the 
proposed national internet filter.

"The plan was first created as a way to combat child pornography and adult 
content, but could be extended to include controversial websites on 
euthanasia or anorexia.

"Communications minister Stephen Conroy revealed the mandatory censorship 
to the Senate estimates committee as the Global Network Initiative, 
bringing together leading companies, human rights organisations, academics 
and investors, committed the technology firms to "protect the freedom of 
expression and privacy rights of their users".

"Mr Conroy said trials were yet to be carried out, but "we are talking 
about mandatory blocking, where possible, of illegal material."

"The net nanny proposal was originally going to allow Australians who 
wanted uncensored access to the web the option of contacting their internet 
service provider to be excluded from the service.

Comment: Another step taken by the Left on the road to serfdom. Looks like 
the U.S. is about to follow.

Platt