Australian Sex Party answers censorship questions
I raised concerns last week about whether the Australian Sex Party (ASP) would fight for an R18+ game classification, given Eros had been opposed to one (a bad move in my opinion). However, party convenor Fiona Patten promptly responded to my queries over the weekend and informed me that ASP does support the introduction of...
Intergalactic Censorship Patrol – Comics, Uncle Sam and Aunty Sarah
I come across heaps of great censorship related websites and blogs each day, but I don’t post about them because they aren’t about Australian issues or because I don’t have time. 99% of the time it’s the latter. So instead of keeping them to myself, I’ve decided the best thing to do is share them...
Is Malcolm Turnbull the answer to a censorship-free Australia?
Malcolm Turnbull may not be the silver bullet that kills censorship in Australia, but he does provide a better shot at it than Keven Rudd and the ALP. At his first media conference as leader of the opposition, Turnbull commented on something that lies at the heart of what makes the current Government and censorship...
Censorship events at Brisbane Writers Fest – Free ticket to attend
Heads up Brisbane folk: There’s two censorship related events at this years Brisbane Writers Festival. Firstly the giveaway: Censorship and the Internet is a ‘searching examination of the ways the internet is threatening the rule of some of the planet’s most repressive governments.’ Antony Loewenstein and Annie Guest to host. When: 12:40PM Sunday 21st of...
Interview with 2channel founder on website responsibility and crime
Here’s an interesting interview with Hiroyuki Nishimura, the Founder of Japan’s largest online discussion forum 2channel. In it, Nishimura talks about his website’s responsibility in the Akihabara stabbing rampage, the distribution of controversial material online, filtering, and online anonymity. Hiroyuki Nishimura: ‘Is there any evidence that the Internet has led to an increase in crimes?...
Blogger reaction to filtering trial
It’s been nearly a week since Conroy hailed the Tassie ISP filtering trial a success. Here’s an overview of what other bloggers are saying about it: ‘The mainstream media in Australia has been outraged by the Internet censorship in China, but seems to be paying no attention to its rise in their own backyard.’ –...
Top 5 Big Brother Australia controversies
Big Brother is over. Let us now rejoice in the outrage it stirred up over the years. 5. Little people can be porn stars If porn scandals are ratings winners, imagine the magnitude of a porn scandal involving a midget? Too bad for the media though — their porn scandal turned out to be a...
No gag order for Aussie Olympians
The Australian Olympic Committee has confirmed Australian athletes competing in Beijing will be entitled to speak on any issue, including human rights. However, all athletes will be required to sign an agreement asking that they only comment to the media about their own events, prospects and performances. This agreement has been in place for ‘several’...
Regulation makes me sleep easy at night
Psychologist and social researcher, Hugh Mackay, writes in his new book Advance Australia…Where? that if we make it appear we have solved a problem through regulation, we ease the burden of personal moral responsibility. Mackay uses the example of a woman who wanted environmentally unfriendly cleaning products banned from supermarket shelves so she wouldn’t have...
Outraged parents want Jay Jays to pull ‘lewd’ t-shirts
Let’s not forget in these crazy times of Internet censorship that the moral crusaders haven’t given up roaming our streets, fighting the good fight, and trying censor anything that doesn’t coincide with what they think is acceptable. The Australian Childhood Foundation is demanding retail fashion chain Jay Jays withdraw their line of Little Losers clothing,...
