Iceland's plan to ban Internet porn sparks uproar | Bangkok Post: news

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Iceland's Internet porn ban sparks uproar

Published: 25 Feb 2013 at 15.15
Online news: World

REYKJAVIK — In the age of instant information, globe-spanning viral videos and the World Wide Web, can a thoroughly wired country become a porn-free zone? Authorities in Iceland want to find out.

The government of the tiny North Atlantic nation is drafting plans to ban pornography, in print and online, in an attempt to protect children from a tide of violent sexual imagery.

The proposal by Interior Minister Ogmundur Jonasson has caused an uproar. Opponents say the move will censor the Web, encourage authoritarian regimes and undermine Iceland's reputation as a Scandinavian bastion of free speech.

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DonAleman
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Discussion 7 : 01 Mar 2013 at 11.237
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As, it is estimated that 60% of all web site "hits" are to porno sites this and the Thai governments ideas of what it's citizens want is clearly outmoded and wrong - aren't governments supposed to do what their people want ? Should both continue they can put up the "closed" sign and pull the shade completely down. Then we all will have to resort going to the live nudity shows available in all "red light" districts.
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boons
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Discussion 6 : 01 Mar 2013 at 07.016
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""When a 12-year-old types 'porn' into Google, he or she is not going to find photos of naked women out on a country field, but very hardcore and brutal violence," said Halla Gunnarsdottir, political adviser to the interior minister."

Brutal violence? Let me guess, she's one of those completely crazy (yes, *crazy*) people that insists that "all sex is violence". Because otherwise, it's actually extremely difficult to accidentally stumble across actual "brutal, violent porn".

This woman is crazy, and obviously hates human sexuality.
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Ian
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Discussion 5 : 27 Feb 2013 at 09.195
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There are two types of porn, the first all participants are paid actors, in the second type the actors are forced or beguiled. The problem is how to permit the former, as Felix rightly suggests whist at the same time blocking the other?
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kasper
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Discussion 4 : 26 Feb 2013 at 21.014
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"When a 12-year-old types 'porn' into Google, he or she is not going to find photos of naked women out on a country field, but very hardcore and brutal violence," said Halla Gunnarsdottir, political adviser to the interior minister.

I just did, incl. clicking on all the links on the first page. Granted they have "hardcore porn", but I did not see any "brutal violence". I see alot of "brutal violence" on most mainstream TV channels I watch though. Does island plan to ban most Hollywood blockbusters as well?
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nui
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Discussion 3 : 25 Feb 2013 at 18.453
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Gunnarsdottir can fly to Thailand and ask the authorities how they have been doing it for some years. Add 2 weeks in Pattaya , Patpong, Soi Coyboy and Nana Plaza and learn something valuable.
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felixqui
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Discussion 2 : 25 Feb 2013 at 16.132
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A wonderful example of a Western country getting it completely wrong.
The whole effort, however sincere and well-intentioned, is misguided and immoral.

Although their parents might well wish to tell their own children not to watch porn, mature adults must be free to do as they choose, accepting the responsibility that comes from being respected as an autonomous person.

Sincerity and good intentions never make anything right. And the effort to censor porn is wrong.
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felixqui
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Discussion 1 : 25 Feb 2013 at 16.011
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A wonderful example of a Western country getting it completely wrong.
The whole effort, however sincere and well-intentioned, is misguided and immoral.

Although their parents might well wish to tell their own children not to watch porn, mature adults must be free to do as they choose, accepting the responsibility that comes from being respected as an autonomous person.

Sincerity and good intentions never make anything right. And the effort to censor porn is wrong.
Like dislike 26 people liked / 28 people disliked this comment