Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/224398

Title

The Australian Government Internet filter: its scope, and its potential civil liberties implications

Author(s)

Cairo, Anna;  Wilken, Rowan

Abstract

In this article, we examine the structural elements of the Australian Government's filter policy as it has evolved over time, paying particular attention to the scope of the proposal, and the possible civil liberties implications of the proposal as it is presently formulated. More precisely, we argue that, by anchoring the proposal in the RC classification scheme, the filter will block far more than illegal material and, as a consequence, there is cause to be worried that a censorship regime is being created, as opposed to a system to protect children. We also explore the significance of civil liberties in the context of a liberal democracy and demonstrate the value they bring to Australia and show how freedom of speech, expression and information are not properly protected under Australia's Constitutional Framework creating consequences for established democratic freedoms in Australian society if the present ISP policy is to be implemented.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology

Source

Telecommunications Journal of Australia, Vol. 62, no. 2 (2012), pp. 25.1-25.15

Publication year

2012

FOR Code(s)

1005 Communications Technologies;  1801 Law;  2001 Communication and Media Studies

Keyword(s)

Australia;  Censorship;  Civil liberties;  Constitutional Framework;  Freedom of expression;  Freedom of information;  Freedom of speech;  Government;  Internet filter;  Internet Service Provider filter;  Online safety;  Refused Classification Content

Publisher

Swinburne University of Technology

ISSN

1835-4270

Publisher URL

http://tja.org.au/index.php/tja/article/view/308

Copyright

Copyright © 2012 the authors.

Peer reviewed