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May 29, 2007
An Internet Future to Avoid in ANY Country: Internet Censorship Law Proposed in Israel
A week from now I will be visiting Tel Aviv and spending time with a number of people involved in the Israeli Hi-Tech community. And some of these people are very concerned about the possibility of a new proposed law in Israel which would obligate Israeli ISPs to block access to all "Adult Content" (pornography, violence and gambling) websites.
The Shas party together with the Israeli Minister of Communication, Mr. Ariel Atias, are the ones promoting this new bill.
In emails received this weekend, various friends have shared their feelings that this bill is "...Completely ridiculous." and that they would like to believe that "...there's zero chance THIS law will actually be passed." The fact that such a bill could even have passed to a parliament committee that is responsible for creating a bill should be of a great concern for all of the current and future users of the Internet in Israel.
It seems that this proposed law comes on the heels of a similar prohibition that is now in effect of over mobile telephones in Israel.
While I have been a long time supporter of the hi-tech innovations developed in Israel which have helped advance the Internet, I am NOT a fan of the proposed Israeli Internet Censorship Law and I would strongly encourage everyone who can, to STAND UP and work together to STOP THIS from happening. Not only today but in the future. This is one "product" I hope never gets exported outside of Israel.
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Blogs of Note:
- Gilad Lotan: Internet Censorship Law Proposal in Israel
- Gadi Shimshon: Say Nicely Goodbye to your Internet
- Blonde 2.0: Internet Censorship In Israel?
- Jonathan Klinger: Amnon Cohen interests the tip of my finger
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Tags: Gilad Lotan, Gadi Shimshon, Blonde 2.0, Jonathan Klinger, Amnon Cohen, Israel, Jeff Pulver
Posted by jeff on May 29, 2007 12:02 AM | Permalink
Additional resources: #140conf events | Watch the Jeff Pulver Show | Jeff's Qik Videos
Comments
This is a "Censorship" issue which should NOT be tolerated.
Posted by: Jeff Pulver at May 30, 2007 06:48 AM
In reply to Richard Kligman:
"Imagine a country with no pornography, violence and gambling" - that is a child's fantasy, a utopia even the iron fist of communism couldn't bring about. With progress come dangers, ones that we must teach our children to face and overcome. Government regulation is not the way to accomplish this. Not only is it doomed to fail, and sooner rather than later, but the damage to free speech and the public's right to be informed is far too great to even consider these drastic measures.
Posted by: S. B. at May 30, 2007 05:18 AM
Same comment than Richard !
What would be so bad about a country that doesn't allow pornography via the internet?
Children protection is far more important than all others subjects. If it is possible to do something to prevent that, Internet will enter in a real new era.
Posted by: Jeremie Berrebi (Zlio.com) at May 30, 2007 05:18 AM
While I usually agree about freedom of speech and I am not saying that I totally agree with the bill, but what would be so bad about a country that doesn't allow pornography via the internet?
Imagine a country with no pornography, violence, and Gambling being promoted to the youth of that country. Is that really such a bad thing?
Jeff, are you upset at the "censorship" issue or what is being censored?
If it is the "censorship" issue then I understand because once it starts then where would it end and who would make the descisions on what is considered porn or violence?
Posted by: Richard Kligman at May 30, 2007 04:02 AM
thanks for the link. I'll post something in my english blog today as well (now i feel much obliged to)
see you next week.
Posted by: Jonathan at May 29, 2007 01:36 PM
Posted by: Adi at May 29, 2007 10:21 AM