PerthNorg

Well, Australia is waking up after the silly season to discover the Stephen Conroy plan for mandatory filtering wasn’t just the after effects of over-marinated Xmas pudding.
I was referring to Stephen Conroy’s proposal for mandatory ISP filtering - I’m a member of several groups around the nation trying to suggest alternatives - I’ve been in touch with WAIA who oppose the idea in principle.
There are thousands of us around the country trying to build some community action – one of the strategies is to encourage as many people as possible to opt out before the proposal is introduced to parliament – there are also letter campaigns and some satirical actions.
Yes, the EFA is also working to suggest that the idea of mandatory filtering is not the best course to take – sadly Conroy chooses to label any challengers as morally suspect.
There are several Facebook groups mobilising…

No Australian Internet Censorship
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7968823265
Australian ISP Filtering plan is stupid
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8546766442
Rational Voters against heavy-handed internet filtering.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6928191475

Australians against Labor’s Internet censorship plans
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6882567606

People against mandatory internet filters in Australia
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5997469998

NetAlarmed (satirical site)
http://www.netalarmed.com/

Petition against the proposed legislation
http://petitions.takingitglobal.org/oznetcensorship
Delving into those pages you’ll find that online media and the blogosphere are awash with concerns about the proposal.
Take some time to consider all the angles before making up your mind – my main concern is that Conroy’s approach is overly simplistic and doesn’t seem open to critique or discussion – and that mindset is precisely what many of us are worried about.