The Filter Protests Guide

A look at the protest movements underway against the Federal Government's ISP-level Internet content filter plan

Trevor Clarke (Computerworld)
22 December, 2009 09:32
Comments (10)

Protesters at last year's event against the introduction of an ISP-level Internet content filter

The Federal Government’s ISP-level Internet content filter plan has led many down the path of considering serious protest and not just vehement online posting. It happened in December last year in almost every state and looks likely to occur again. See a slideshow of the last protests.

Here are some of the actions being taken so far this time:

The Great Australian Internet Blackout

Using the time-honoured Australian tradition of describing something as “Great”, Electronic Frontiers Australia has partnered with the No Clean Feed group to call on you to black out the Internet in protest. The Great Australian Internet Blackout will take place between January 25 to 29 with those interested invited to black out their website or profile. There will also be Australia Day (January 26) celebrations in different states for those wanting to attend. The group is also encouraging Internet users to email their respective parliamentary representatives to protest. More information on the site or type #nocleanfeed into Twitter.

Stephen-Conroy.com

This website has attracted plenty of attention over the last few days after its first attempt at protest on the .au domain – stephenconroy.com.au – was hit by a takedown by the Australian Domain Name Administrator (auDA). While the circumstances surrounding the take down have still not been cleared up the protest group has a clever comic on its new home page and is calling for a mass email protest. More information on the site.

Block The Filter

A Facebook driven protest with 5000 confirmed guests (3519 maybe attending, 19862 awaiting reply) to events planned to be held in every capital city (no details confirmed at time of publication) on Saturday January 30, 2010 from 12 to 3 pm. The Facebook page has links to other events already past, including another protest group that has already attracted 10, 529 fans and merged with the Block The Filteroutfit.

Reporters Without Borders

They might not be calling on you to do anything directly, but the open letter to the Prime Minister by Reporters Without Borders, an organisation that describes itself as defending free expression worldwide, is a great example of the concern the filter has raised. It’s also being used by many as a template for a rational and well-considered protest letter or email to parliamentary representatives. Read the letter.

Get Up! Action for Australia

This group has an online petition called 'Save the Net' encouraging site visitors to put their names on the dotted line to protest the filter.

Stop Internet Censorship

This site has links to some of the other events being planned to protest the filter and calls on people to contact them for more information. "There has been too much talk for too long. It is time for Australians to take action before Internet Censorship becomes a way of life," the site reads. "It is not enough to just discuss the mandatory Internet filter and what impacts it will have on us, but to look at how we can work together to bring awareness to others. Ultimately the goal is to have this stopped before it is even put into place. Say no to Internet Censorship!"

Know of another way people are protesting or showing their support for the filter? Let us know below.

Get the basics on the government's filter plan or see some of the top community posts on the issue.

Comments

Peter John Gilbert

Tue 22/12/2009 - 11:02

It just proves that the NWO doesn't like critisism, because if they really want to get rid of porn & other nasties they should target the servers who deliver them. This is just another scam to incremental censorship & blocking freedom of expression & opinion. But it doesn't matter whether Labour or Liberal, Greens or Nationals, they are all controlled & owned by the same people, the banksters, who love the left-right, up-down paradigm to keep us the way they want: mushrooms.
STOP USING THEIR MONEY & RENDER THEM POWERLESS BEFORE YOU LOOSE YOUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO FREEDOM !

rpb

Tue 22/12/2009 - 11:23

Write to:

your MP: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/mi-state.asp

ALP: http://www.alp.org.au/action/feedback.php

And especially to Mr. Chris Disspain in view of his blatant disrespect for due process and abuse of power vested in his position (not him): ceo@auda.org.au

Or if you are a parent or member of the public who divests her/himself of the responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of those in our care - continue to make excuses, forsake simple and cheap filtering on your PC, blame others and do nothing.

Turbo

Tue 22/12/2009 - 11:26

Genuine off the chair and outside protesting needs to take place, on a massive scale. Heck, burn a few things while your at it, should be fun, and get the message across. PEOPLE DO NOT WANT FILTERING!

bittybyte

Tue 22/12/2009 - 11:59

i hear absolutely nothing from the opposition, about opposition on this either. seems that if people decide to punish labor at the next election, the coalition is just going to take the votes and implement the filter anyway. the idea of being able to block anything negative is to much to resist by any political party. dont vote, and perhaps theyll all go away.

Take the world back

Tue 22/12/2009 - 12:11

The normal majority of the the worlds people want a filtering system for politicians. Something that will filter out the dangerous, radical, loopy fringe dwellers that are ruining our planet and our lives. Perhaps lie detectors or something that will pick out the ones that have infiltrated ALL the parties in order to gain ultimate control. We don't want the loony left or the rip-off right. We want to be normal!

Tony

Tue 22/12/2009 - 13:11

THEN theres also this loony harrassing the Ministers staff via phone call..

While I dont condone his actions.. the guy either has balls or a death wish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JES_9aVMrr8

Gary

Tue 22/12/2009 - 14:22

We need to have a national POWER OFF day where everybody switches off their computers and mobile phones in protest at Conroy's filter. How about 26th January 2010.

Andrew

Tue 22/12/2009 - 15:09

How about Australians and Australian News and Current Affairs implement the "Government filter" whereby they don't accept ad's or media releases or interviews with anyone in Canberra for 1 month. Its filtering - but more as Australians would like it.

Gonads

Tue 22/12/2009 - 22:54

hell i'm all for a riot!

RealPolitik

Wed 23/12/2009 - 07:20

Heh, it's cute how some people think they will actually effect some change around the issue.

I suggest you look at some of the considered analysis regarding how many votes Labor would actually lose from such protests. It results in virtually no loss whatsoever when key electorates and their margins are examined.

Add this to the fact the average person in the street has no objections to something they believe will stop kiddie porn. No matter how loud you bleat about censorship.

Be prepared to be disillusioned kiddies.