by Brisbane IT Librarian, Kath Read.

Recently the Brisbane Times published this article with reference to an incident at Maroochydore Library where a parent complained about another customer accessing pornography on the public internet terminals in the library.

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Strangely enough this is a common issue for libraries and other public internet providers, both free and paid.  I would say almost all internet cafe’s, wifi providers, educational institutions and libraries have faced the dilemma of how to handle customers accessing inappropriate material on their public terminals or internet connection.

Some choose to filter using software or subscription services, others manage the issue by providing internet usage agreements that state clearly that the service will be revoked if users are accessing inappropriate materials.  As it’s a fairly common issue, there are a myriad of solutions available to providers.

However, what strikes me as as interesting about this article is the term “Big Brother ban” in reference to a web filter or restriction of customers using the provided service inappropriately.  The implication is there that all users of the service are being watched all the time for censorship purposes.

Which brings me to wonder if the lines between content censorship and content classification have been blurred somewhat in the fear-mongering that goes hand in hand with the subject of internet pornography.  Censorship and classification are two very different things.

Censorship is suppression or removal of content on moral, ethical, political or sensitive grounds.  Classification is the designation of a level of appropriateness of content, usually on age or venue appropriateness.  An item may be classified as suitable for all ages, those over a certain age or for only adults.  Or it may be classified as inappropriate for a public venue but suitable for use at home in private.

Public internet providers are usually not censoring content on moral grounds, they are classifying them as inappropriate for their venue or for age groups present in their venue.  This not only applies to sexual content but also to violent or graphic content.

I like to use the metaphor of clothing.  Censorship would be telling you that you would have to cover your body at all times, as exposing your body is dirty and immoral.  Classification is stating that when you’re at home, you’re free to roam around naked, but in a public venue (like an internet cafe, library or the office) you are required to wear appropriate clothing for the company/venue you are in.  A bikini isn’t appropriate for the average workplace, but it is not immoral to wear one at another more appropriate venue.

With Government internet filters and censorship such a hot topic at the moment, it’s vitally important that people understand exactly what each of the terms mean, so that they are not agreeing to give up basic freedoms on moral grounds that they do not believe in.