James Rowe

Being a stakeholder in the industry, and someone who feels strongly about the internet, and the right for people to freely access material in an open and transparent fashion, I have to say I am not impressed at the idea of a national filter. I have to say, that the idea of deeming certain material offensive and therefore banning it, is not the only reason why I am opposed to this plan. The idea of broadband speeds significantly decreasing, on an already substandard broadband network seems like a folly of an idea. I can't understand why, if the government is getting good advice on the potential implications for such a plan, would go ahead regardless. Yes, broadband, more technically, fibre to the node networks have yet to be established for the whole of the country. This country needs to be completely covered with fibre optics, and I have no opposition to spending the money to do that. I just cannot see the incentive for decreased, or "slower" net speeds and the potential inconveniance to industry, as well as individuals, and constituents who wanted a faster broadband network, and in reality are getting slower than normal speeds before they've even started as a result of this national filtering plan. The idea of censoring the internet, also has implications for people who hold a stake in delivering certain information to the web. I haven't heard a single word on who will be the sole arbitor in the decision making process to deem material "offensive", how is the government going to 'fully' define "offensive". Will the censor report to parliament. Will there be an oversight committee to establish that companies, or individuals are not being placed on the list because of untoward reasons. Will there be a right of appeal, if your web site, or your network of web sites is placed on this list. Will the list be IP, or generic domain name based? These questions, and many others. Are all part of what the industry is seriously scratching their heads about. If anything, we haven't really received information on this plan. And we'd like to know more detail. This is not something to be treated lightly either. An industry such as this needs to be consulted, just like in the IR field. And I would like to see some independent businesses, and small businesses to take part and tell the government what it is that needs to be done so we can go forward, and ultimately achieve a good outcome without adversely affecting an industry, or the web for the consumer, or user. By all accounts, the government has taken the task seriously of establishing an office on the digital economy. If we get this web filter idea wrong, and there is bad advice, the potential for grave consequences are high. To be complacent and act in a fashion that disadvantages, or discriminates against a certain entity would be akin to placing unneeded, and unnecessary regulation on one area of industry.