The Wire

The Australian Communications and Media Authority might be given more powers to police racism on the internet. At a recent meeting of attorneys-general in Adelaide a proposal was put forward to ban race-hate websites. Civil libertarians fear that this will restrict free speech and won’t do anything to stop material posted on websites overseas. But community groups that represent people from non-English speaking backgrounds have expressed support for the Government’s plan. Dale Clapperton from the free speech group Electronic Frontiers says existing laws already outlaw racial vilification and new laws aren’t necessary.