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Aussie Minister Backs Down on Internet Censorship
gballard writes "After the constant furore raised by rights groups, ISPs and concerned citizens over the Australian Government's planned 'internet filter,' it seems that Australia Communications Minister Stephen Conroy is finally backing down. In a recent interview, the Minister conceded that many of the sites blocked by the filter were legitimate businesses (including, in one case, a Queensland dentist's homepage) and changed his story on whether the planned filter would restrict 'Refused Classification' websites or use the broader (and more vague) criterion of 'prohibited.'
It's a positive step, but as the article above suggests, at the moment it's only one crack in the defenses of a censorship plan with broad ramifications for Australian internet users."
Censoring the letter 'r' now, are we?
Perhaps, but you're the one yelling at your TV!
With apologies to the original TV Series http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister
Minster's office, Civil Servant and Minister. .. I'm the Minister I have to be able to know what the public can't see in case I'm asked about it! .... LIE!
CS : Why on earth would the people be worried about not having access to information?
Mi : Well they want to be able to access it!
CS : But Minster, if they don't know about it they can't access it!
Mi : Don't know about it ! The Entire List has been leaked.
CS : Oh no Minister, what we want the public to THINK is the entire list has been leaked.
Mi : Then whats the entire list?
CS : Oh you don't want to know that Minister.
Mi : Why not
CS : Exactly Minster, if you don't know then you don't have to dissemble to the public.
Mi : Dissemble ?
CS : Discourse with knowledge in error, converse in a manner likely to perjure yourself,
Mi : So you're saying that nobody knows the full list, including me, just so I don't have to lie about it?
CS : YES MINISTER!
--- This meme is memory intensive