You Can't do That Online

A few short years ago there was a big stink about the Australian Federal government's amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act. All the usual arguments about freedom of speech were trotted out, a number of adult content sites re-established

A few short years ago there was a big stink about the Australian Federal government's amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act. All the usual arguments about freedom of speech were trotted out, a number of adult content sites re-established themselves off-shore, and very little else came of the legislation. However, a new South Australian government move, the Classification Amendment Bill, looks like it is more far reaching than anything done by the federal government.

Basically the new law gives authorities the power to prosecute anyone responsible for posting unsuitable content for minors online. The law does not take into account the context of said content, so even discussion about pornography or pedophilia are verboten - but it doesn't end there. 'Objectional material' is also considered to include such delicate topics as injection rooms and euthanasia. Electronic Frontiers Australia spokesperson Michael Baker calls the measure 'political censorship gone rampant'.

Nor does the bill take into consideration where the material is hosted. Whether the questionable site is hosted locally or overseas, the person who posted that material is still liable for prosecution, which is a whole other can of worms.