After the Australian government announced its plan to filter the online media, the US ambassador in the country said the move can infringe the freedom of speech, adding that there are more effective ways to deal with child pornography and other insidious materials.
Some countries and organizations, including Internet giants Yahoo and Google, have also criticized Australia over its plan to use online filters.
US ambassador Jeff Bleich said he is discussing with the Australian government to come up with a “better way to deal with the problems brought by the media”.
According to a previous interview, Bleich said the Internet media should be free as this is shared by people around the world.
“The online media needs to be shared as it serves as a source for all the people. This means that it should be free, the way the skies have to be free…the way the oceans have to be free”, the ambassador added.
Meanwhile, search engine giant Google has criticized the plan to filter the online media saying that this move is “too wide and well beyond” compared to the rules that are used by some countries including UK, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Canada.
According to reports, the Australian government is drafting a legislation that would block online materials related to bestiality, sex abuse with children, rape, and drug use. If passed into law, the Internet service providers will administer the rules.
Because of the government’s stance in the digital media, Reporters Without Borders, an international group of journalists, has included Australia in the lists of countries considered as “Internet Enemies”. Russia, Turkey, and South Korea were also included in the list.