Search giants Google and Yahoo have joined the Australian Library and Information Association and Inspire Foundation to create a coalition of online interests to lobby against Rudd Government plans to filter the internet.
Called the Safer Internet Group, the coalition is urging Government to adjust its internet filter plans, saying the scheme's present design is ineffective and puts at risk the benefits of a free flow of information.
Coalition members also argue the scope of the content to be filtered is too broad. Filtering all Refused Classification content - which the legislation is intended to do - could block content that has strong social or educational value.
"The Australian Library and Information Association has a responsibility to the Australian community to protect the free flow of information for all," ALIA executive director Sue Hutley said with the release of the coalitions Core Principles for Effective Action for a Safer Internet paper.
The group says peer-reviewed research on the issue found the most effective way to protect kids on the internet was through a combination of education and policing, coupled with technical measures that rely on ISPs, police and governments working together.
On technical measures the coalition says if governments can achieve the broad aims of these child safety policies through cooperation and partnerships with the industry, and by focusing on a clearly defined and narrow band of child sexual abuse material.
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