[LINK] RFI: Singapore's Blocks

[Bob Bain]

On Mon, 19 Nov 2001 23:52:34 +1100 (EST), David Golstein wrote:

>And to say that just because there seems to be a blind eye turned to
>some forms of illegal video content or other matter such as illegal
>drugs, does this always mean that therefore all should be legal?

 No.  I have suggested only two ethical alternatives:-

 1).  Enforce the laws that are in place.

                          - or -

 2) Legalise that which has been openly available for years.

>It's a matter for a serious debate, and not a simple case of all
>censorship or restrictions are bad, or good to the other extreme.

 The issue is simply one of law and the enforcement (or otherwise) of
those laws. 

 I didn't introduce the laws.
The New South Wales government did.

 If you find this an issue for concern investigate the issue and if
appropriate complain to those who make/enforce such laws.

 The issue is one of law, not of philosophy.

 There is nothing to debate.  Organised crime is taking place openly
in public and this has continued for a decade or more.  The same
government that introduced laws it seemingly can't/isn't able to
enforce is suggesting further curtailment of individual freedom.

 The latter isn't yet law and as such is a matter of philosophy and
liberty.  After/if it's enacted the issue will become one of law.

 I may or may not have something more to say on the issue when I
eventually hear from the OFLC.  This is a copy of my inquiry to the
OFLC - a reply is now overdue under their terms of service :-

 ------------ quote ------------------

 In a letter from the Attorney General the Hon. Daryl Williams
addressing my concerns regarding the seemingly free availability of
"X" rated and unclassified video material in most (if not all) adult
"book" shops in New South Wales it was suggested via a reply to the
Hon. Jackie Kelly MP that an appropriate starting point would be the
Community Liaison Officer (Ms. Julia Williams) at the OFLC.

 In this letter it is commented "Mr Bain has expressed concern about
the availability of "X" rated and unclassified material from video
outlets and adult stores in New South Wales.  The OFLC would need to
be advised of the title of the products to determine whether they have
been classified."

 In perusing stores in the city and in various suburbs I notice not
only video tapes of bestiality, but also magazines of bestiality with
an OFLC classification sticker (Restricted Classification 2).

 There appear to be various video tapes which are seemingly rated "X"
(not legal for sale in New South Wales) but which do not seem to
appear on the OFLC classification database at www.oflc.gov.au.

 One title (from many) is "Read Hidden Peeing 2" which carries the
classification "X" 18+ "Restricted to Adults 18 years and over.
Contains sexually explicit material."

 I would appreciate if you can inform me if this video has been
classified "X" by the OFLC, as it doesn't appear on the on-line
database?

 In accordance with Internet censorship legislation I have lodged a
submission regarding the site where this video could be purchased from
the USA with the Australian Broadcasting Authority.

 Any information you can provide with regard to censorship enforcement
in New South Wales would be appreciated.

 ---------------- end quote -----------

 Here for information is the ABA response to the site in question:-

 This video is a tape that gives "Special thanks to all the pervs from
around the world who made this video possible.".  I purchased it
openly in Penrith.  It invites viewers to submit their material for
inclusion in further tapes.

 -------------- quote from the ABA response -----------

Dear Ms Bain,

I refer to the complaint that you lodged with the Australian
Broadcasting Authority (ABA) about Internet content accessed via the
following address: 

http://www.realhiddenvideo.com/index2.html

The ABA has investigated the content at this URL and found that the
Internet content is hosted overseas and is not prohibited content as
defined by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the Act).  As part of
this investigation, the content was referred to the Office of Film and
Literature Classification (OFLC) for their classification advice. The
advice provided by the OFLC formed the final view on whether the
content was prohibited or not.

Under the Act, the following categories of Internet content are
prohibited:

	Content which is classified RC or X by the Classification
Board, including:	- material containing detailed instruction in
crime, violence or drug use;
	- child pornography;
	- bestiality;
	- excessively violent or sexually violent material; and
	- real depictions of actual sexual activity.

	Content hosted in Australia, which is classified R and not
subject to a restricted access system which complies with criteria
determined by the ABA. Content classified R is not considered suitable
for minors and includes: 
	- material containing strong depictions of realistic violence;
	- sexual violence, although it should not be detailed; 
	- implied or simulated sexual activity; and
	- material that deals with issues that require an adult
perspective

The Classification Board Guidelines for the Classification of Films
and Videotapes are available on the OFLC website at
http://www.oflc.gov.au. Further information about the co-regulatory
scheme for Internet content is available at the ABA website at
http://www.aba.gov.au/internet/index.htm.

Thank you for bringing this matter to the attention of the ABA. 

Yours sincerely
Lachlan Habgood
Complaints Investigator 
Online Services Content Regulation
Australian Broadcasting Authority

 ----------------------

 BTW:  I'm not a Ms. !! :-)

--------
Bob Bain
Sydney Australia
bobb@alt.net