The Filter Protests Guide

A look at the protest movements underway against the Federal Government's ISP-level Internet content filter plan

Protesters at last year's event against the introduction of an ISP-level Internet content filter

Protesters at last year's event against the introduction of an ISP-level Internet content filter

The Federal Government’s ISP-level Internet content filter plan has led many down the path of considering serious protest and not just vehement online posting. It happened in December last year in almost every state and looks likely to occur again. See a slideshow of the last protests.

Here are some of the actions being taken so far this time:

The Great Australian Internet Blackout

Using the time-honoured Australian tradition of describing something as “Great”, Electronic Frontiers Australia has partnered with the No Clean Feed group to call on you to black out the Internet in protest. The Great Australian Internet Blackout will take place between January 25 to 29 with those interested invited to black out their website or profile. There will also be Australia Day (January 26) celebrations in different states for those wanting to attend. The group is also encouraging Internet users to email their respective parliamentary representatives to protest. More information on the site or type #nocleanfeed into Twitter.

Stephen-Conroy.com

This website has attracted plenty of attention over the last few days after its first attempt at protest on the .au domain – stephenconroy.com.au – was hit by a takedown by the Australian Domain Name Administrator (auDA). While the circumstances surrounding the take down have still not been cleared up the protest group has a clever comic on its new home page and is calling for a mass email protest. More information on the site.

Block The Filter

A Facebook driven protest with 5000 confirmed guests (3519 maybe attending, 19862 awaiting reply) to events planned to be held in every capital city (no details confirmed at time of publication) on Saturday January 30, 2010 from 12 to 3 pm. The Facebook page has links to other events already past, including another protest group that has already attracted 10, 529 fans and merged with the Block The Filteroutfit.

Reporters Without Borders

They might not be calling on you to do anything directly, but the open letter to the Prime Minister by Reporters Without Borders, an organisation that describes itself as defending free expression worldwide, is a great example of the concern the filter has raised. It’s also being used by many as a template for a rational and well-considered protest letter or email to parliamentary representatives. Read the letter.

Get Up! Action for Australia

This group has an online petition called 'Save the Net' encouraging site visitors to put their names on the dotted line to protest the filter.

Stop Internet Censorship

This site has links to some of the other events being planned to protest the filter and calls on people to contact them for more information. "There has been too much talk for too long. It is time for Australians to take action before Internet Censorship becomes a way of life," the site reads. "It is not enough to just discuss the mandatory Internet filter and what impacts it will have on us, but to look at how we can work together to bring awareness to others. Ultimately the goal is to have this stopped before it is even put into place. Say no to Internet Censorship!"

Know of another way people are protesting or showing their support for the filter? Let us know below.

Get the basics on the government's filter plan or see some of the top community posts on the issue.

More Computerworld coverage on the internet content filter

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