FCC’s Martin drops ‘filtering’ from WiFi plan
p2pnet news view WiFi | Freedom | P2P:- In a bid to win approval for his plan to, “auction off a slice of the airwaves” for a free US WiFi broadband network, soon-to-be-ex-Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin has removed an especially contentious element.
And that, says Newsday, “is a requirement that the provider of the wireless network filter Internet content to block any material deemed inappropriate for children”.
The news is especially interesting in light of attempts by governments in Australia and Britain to impose online censorship, claiming it’s vital to protect children from undesirable content they might otherwise come across online.
Martin’s proposal to, “build a family-friendly broadband network by blocking objectionable Web sites was loosely based on the business model of a startup called M2Z Networks,” says Newsweek, noting he dropped the requirement, “to increase the chances that his proposal will win the support of his fellow commissioners”.
It adds:
“The concept mirrors the logic behind indecency regulations governing over-the-air broadcast TV: Since the service would be available to everyone, it would need to protect children from unsuitable material.
“But the filtering proposal raised concerns among free-speech advocates on the left and right, who question how to determine what constitutes appropriate Internet content and how effective content filters truly are. Opponents point out that filters often mistakenly block legitimate sites, including resources about health and sex education.”
Newsday - FCC chairman drops content-filtering rule from proposal for free wireless broadband network, December 31, 2008
Australia - Australian censor plan targets BitTorrent, December 23, 2008
Britain - Dear Andy Burnham: On X-rated Net sites …, December 30, 2008
Use free p2pnet newsfeeds for your site. It’s really easy!
Subscribe to p2pnet.net | | rss feed: http://p2pnet.net/p2p.rss | | Mobile - http://p2pnet.net/index-wml.php
Net access blocked by government restrictions? Use Psiphon from the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto. Go here for details.







January 2nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Now, everyone knows in Most countries Adults, outnumber children 10 to 1 (example)
and Children cant vote for some filter
Education is the main option here
Not trying to block something they can circumvent at like 6
I think single youtube videos, and myspaces are on those lists, or maybe its a scare-tactic
Saw 5 didnt scare me =P
January 6th, 2009 at 12:00 am
The NWO is here, they’re looking to control the net because it’s the only freedom of expression the population have left.