New Australian Laws To Censor Terror DVDs

An anonymous reader writes "Within a few weeks, Australia may introduce new laws to censor films and literature deemed by the government to be supportive of terrorism. This is not the first time material has been censored in Australia, which has previously censored films and banned publications, including one titled Defence of the Muslim Lands (censored in mid 2006 by Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock). The proposed laws are aimed to target material such as a DVD by Feiz Mohammad containing some of his past controversial sermons calling for jihad and comparing Jews with pigs. The Office of Film and Literature Classification previously classified this DVD as 'PG', suitable for viewing by anyone under 15 years of age with parental guidance."

Comments

Censor != ban

[mr_matticus]

According to TFA, all they're talking about is changing the designation of films from PG to higher ratings by the *film censors* and not about banning the film from sale or distribution or anything of the sort. The proposed bill would simply require certain topics to have higher censor ratings.

Any free-thinking adult can still buy them.

One rule for you, one for Him

[KeensMustard]

Him in this case, being radio broadcaster Alan Jones, darling of the ruling Liberal Party, who has recently been convicted of encouraging violence against Muslims in remarks he made before the Cronulla Riots last year.This conviction has resulted in a review of the broadcasting guidelines by Helen Coonan, federal Communications Minister, who indicated she thought the judgement wrong.

• I guess it's ok to incite hatred and violence, provided it's directed at Muslims
• I guess it's ok to call other Australians scum, as long as they are Muslim