I had a call from Will Pavia of The Times yesterday. He wanted a Tory quote about the British film censors’ suggestion that internet sites should have classification similar to films to warn users about porno sites and foul language.
He had seen my name at the top of ConservativeHome site regarding my story about David Miliband’s £40,000 p.a. blog, hence the call.
My response was that we can regulate ourselves, the browser and anti-virus software provide the tools to filter out anything deemed unsuitable, we can be self-regulatory. I didn’t expect my quotes to be used as I don’t represent an organisation, but maybe they would have done if they couldn’t have reached Simon Davies, of Privacy International, who shares my views and said very succinctly:
“It sounds like the most stupid intervention since the registration of fax machines and photocopiers in communist China.�
I think it would be an impossible task and more help should be available advising parents, and anyone concerned about internet content, to set their browers accordingly so they can become their own censors.
Well said Ellee – I liked the quote they used though. Pity the board of film censors – what a moribond organisation a leftover from state censorship in the war of 1939 I guess.
Utterly pointless.
Within hours of the government passing any such law, the hosting of any such content will travel abroad, probably to somewhere with protected free speech.
Given a choice, no company is going to spend thousands PER CHANGE to get the BBFC to pass their content, particularly people making low-budget flash animations.
Up until now, the BBFC has been a pain for the movie industry, but as it affects all, no-one has really complained much.
But this could be like what happened with gambling tax – that the foreign competition forced the government’s hand as it was damaging UK businesses.