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PUBLIC libraries that refuse to stop peddling internet pornography should have their funding cut, a federal MP has demanded. Victorian Labor MP Anthony Byrne said a recent survey had revealed that most public libraries across Melbourne had easily accessible internet pornography, which could be downloaded by adults or children. "The purpose of libraries is not to view pornography but to educate and nourish the people who use them," he said. "I think parents would be incredibly disturbed to know how easily porn can be accessed in public libraries without their knowledge." This week Mr Byrne used Parliament to call on state and federal governments to stop funding any public library or childcare centre that refused to place porn blockers on their computers. "Some government MPs have expressed concern about Big Brother but what people can access on the internet in public libraries is far, far worse," he said. "As a parent I find this totally unacceptable and children must be protected from harmful material." Mr Byrne said there were also no federal laws, regulations or policies that mandated internet pornography filters in childcare centres. "As a matter of urgency the Government must ensure that mandatory internet porn filters are part of its childcare quality standards," he said. An Australian Library Information Association survey has shown that most libraries were providing unfiltered access to the internet. Herald/ Weekly Times (19-8-2005) Gerard McManus |
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BENDIGO'S public library Internet terminals have been used to look up several websites containing pornography and images of rape fantasies. The websites have been accessed from the Bendigo public library's Internet terminals during the past week. Evidence that users were visiting the specific web sites was discovered by an Advertiser staff member. Further investigation of the content of the sites confirmed they were of an offensive nature, containing violent depictions of sex and references to rape fantasies. According to the library's Internet policy which features on its website, it cannot police the Internet because of its global nature. "The user may... find materials that are unreliable, personally offensive or illegal under Australian law," it states. "It remains the responsibility of the user (or the parent, guardian or caregiver) to determine what is appropriate." Dr Jan Penney, the chief executive officer of Goldfields Library Corporation, said there had been only two reported incidents in four years of inappropriate Internet use across its central Victorian branches. "One of those was accidental and the other one we're not sure of," she said. Dr Penney said anyone found accessing inappropriate sites would have their session suspended. "We have Internet across six branches and 25 Internet access points available every hour, going 10 hours a day," she said. "All of our Internet terminals are situated in view of librarians at all times. "It's not a problem in public libraries." Dr Penney said the nature of the Internet made it possible for some users to unwittingly stumble across such sites. "Usually, most people just move on because it's not what they're interested in," she said. Parents needed to police their children's Internet activities, just as there were some library books that may be considered off limits for young people, Dr Penney said. City of Greater Bendigo community services director Barry Secombe said the library was the responsible authority to deal with the issue. Elaine Crowle, the senior vice president of Parents Victoria, recommended parents supervise while their children are using the Internet. Acting Sergeant Andrew Cornford, from the Bendigo sexual offences unit, said while visiting adult pornography sites on the Internet was not a criminal offence, accessing child pornography was prohibited. AAP (29-1-2005) Melissa Iaria |
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