Conroy's content cops still on the cards

I'll give $10 to anyone who can explain to me how a national Internet content filtering scheme at the ISP level can work effectively without crippling network speeds.

It's on my shelf along with a postage-paid envelope.

I'm not against filtering, sorry libertarians, because I'm prepared to sacrifice any future inclination to download the Anarchist's Handbook in exchange for a drop in the sharing of child porn.

Call me naive, but I doubt the government could censor the right to free speech over the Internet without getting busted.

The idea does make me cringe a little, but that's is no reason to oppose the plan.

But a dramatic reduction in network speeds, increased cost to the taxpayer and of course the burden on ISPs is reason enough.

I have yet to find a technically-literate supporter of the scheme. Most hate the idea of the government sticking it's nose into the Internet — the epitome of free speech — while some argue that the technology will reduce Internet speeds, and block hundreds of thousands - even millions - of legitimate Web pages.

The latest development — yet to be confirmed by the government — is that the opt-out proviso included in the scheme is not what it may seem; it is not a get-out-of-filtering free card, but rather a transfer ticket from a blacklist designed for children to one made for adults.

The communications department promised it will determine policy after its live pilot which is due to kick-off shortly. But it is illogical to make content filtering optional if the aim of the scheme is to clean up the Internet.

The blue swimmer is still sitting on my shelf.