ALIA supports the federal government's policy position emphasising education for safe and informed internet use

ALIA has written to the federal minister for communications, informaton technology and the arts in support of the federal government's policy position on internet filtering and education for safe and informed use of the internet.

15 December 2005

Senator the Hon Helen Coonan
Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Dear Minister Coonan

I am writing in support of your policy position on internet filtering software and education for safe and informative use of the internet. The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the professional association for the library and information sector. ALIA represents 5000 personal members, 1000 institutional members and over 10 million public library and information services users.

The association's members are very concerned with the recent push by a group of federal politicians and supporters of the newly formed Sexual Integrity Alliance for mandatory filtering of public access internet terminals in public libraries. Proponents of mandatory internet filtering are relying heavily on views such as those expressed at the Sexual Integrity Forum at parliament house in August 2005, and claims that reliable blocking software is now available, such as those of Dr Mary Anne Layden, a keynote speaker at the forum and promoter of the Internet Sheriff filtering software, and Paul MacRae of Security Principles who promotes 'whole of country' filtering.

Further, we believe that the recent decision by Tasmanian Minister for Education Paula Wriedt to require all Tasmanian public libraries and online access centres to use filtering software is a flawed policy approach and poor risk management as it denies the democratic rights of Tasmania's library users to access to legitimate and appropriate information and diminishes the essential role of educating internet users.

ALIA's policy position on online content regulation is that 'libraries and information services support the right of all users to unhindered access to information of their choice regardless of format. Access to electronic information resources should not be restricted except as required by law and this basic right should not be eroded in the development of regulatory measures for online information.

Users are assisted with the necessary skills and a suitable environment in which to use their chosen information sources and services freely and confidently. Each user's right to privacy and confidentiality is protected with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted.

In addition to the many valuable resources available on the internet, some are incorrect, misleading and may be offensive. Libraries and information services proactively promote and facilitate responsible access to quality networked information for all their users, including children and young people. They enable library users to learn to use the internet and electronic information efficiently and effectively.'

This position has the full support of the library and information services sector. It was developed following debate and discussion, and has been promulgated widely, including to state and federal parliamentary inquiries, since 1996.

The association supports your government's policy as implemented through NetAlert, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the Internet industry codes of practice. ALIA contributed to the community consultation on the codes. Derek Whitehead, convenor of ALIA's Online Content and Regulation Committee is a member of the NetAlert board. In May this year NetAlert was a partner in Library and Information Week and the promotion of the National Library Project.

We are currently undertaking a survey on internet access in public libraries and when the full results are available in January will forward these to you. This survey was previously done in 2002. Preliminary results based on the first 125 responses covering 116 library services operating through 366 sites indicate:

• an increase in use and awareness of NetAlert material and high level of awareness of ALIA policy and information;
• the level of complaints about internet content is still very low, especially given the volume of use of internet services;
• there is an increase in libraries having separate terminals and websites for children and in requiring parental consent;
• there appears to be an increase in the number of libraries using filters and a corresponding increase in the number of complaints about legitimate sites being blocked.

For your information I have attached both the preliminary survey results (as at 14 December 2005) and the full report of the 2002 survey. Further resources are available on our website.

Australians have a democratic right to access information through the internet in their public library and for this to be unhindered by filtering software. Educating library users in safe and informed internet use and having acceptable use policies in place are far more responsible strategies. With the growing use of new internet technologies such as Wiki it is inevitable that the amount of legitimate and appropriate information incorrectly blocked through filtering will increase. Despite what proponents say filtering software, in our experience, is not able to filter only inappropriate material. Filters have no place in a policy framework that embraces new technologies and promotes safe and informed use of the internet.

ALIA would welcome opportunities to continue working with you and your department in advocating safe and informed internet access for library users.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Gillian Hallam
President

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