[NOTE: This is posted here because it will affect the advertising of such
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echo. If you need to reply, please do so by netmail. TREV - Moderator.] 



'Attorney-General Michael Lavarch & Communications and Arts Minister
Michael Lee 



JOINT NEWS RELEASE 



 9 July 1995 

 68/95 



CONTENT REGULATION OF ON-LINE INFORMATION SERVICES 



Australians are being asked to have thier say on proposals for content
regulation of online computer information services, including BULLETIN
BOARDS [my emphasis] and the Internet.  



In response to community concern about the availability of objectionable
material on computer services, Attorney-General Michael Lavarch and
Minister for Communications and the Arts Michael Lee have today released a
consultation paper on a proposed regulatory scheme.  



The paper has been posted on the Internet along with an email address for
users and providers, as well as the wider community, to express their
views.  



Federal, State and Territory censorship ministers meet in Perth on Friday
to discuss regulation of online services.  



The paper proposes a framework that builds on the work of the Computer
Bulletin Board Task Force, established last year by Mr Lavarch and Mr Lee,
while recognising the need to address the problem in relation to a wider
range of services.  



It proposes a self-regulatory scheme backed up by an effective complaints
handling mechanism to ensure objectionable material such as the "rape
guide" foudn recently on the internet can be easily identified and
removed from publicly accessible databases located in Australia.  



The proposal also includes restrictions to ensure that appropriate steps
are taken to prevent children gaining access to material that would be
restricted under the classification system for film, video, computer games
and publications.  



The paper emphasises the need for an effective self-regulation scheme,
backed by appropriate offences under State and Territory law to deal with
those who deliberately flout the voluntary scheme.  



Mr Lavarch said the scheme was based on well-established principles which
underpin the existing classification scheme for film, video. computer games
and publications.  



"That is, Australians are entitled to see and read what they
wish", he said.  



"But we also have a resonsibility to protect children from disturbing
material and to crack down on exploitive products such as child pronography
as well as dangerous publications such as manuals on committing
crime." 



Mr Lee said he was confident that the industry would respond positively to
the Government's initiative.  



"The approach being suggested is consistent with the established
framework of self-regulation for Australian broadcasting," [sic] he
said.  



"It is proposed that the roles and responsibilities of service
providers and system operators for delaing with objectionable material will
be determned through industry and community consultation." 



The consulatation paper is available on the Internet on
http://www.doc.gov.au or by telephoning 1 800 656 637.  



**************************** 



Media Contacts: Mark Lever (Mr Lavrach's office) 277 7300 or 0419 206 005 

                Bob Bowden (Mr Lee's office) 277 7480 or 018 482 806'





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