UK Culture Secretary wants ratings for websites; might negotiate with Obama administration

From this:

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, [UK Culture Secretary] Andy Burnham says he believes that new standards of decency need to be applied to the web. He is planning to negotiate with Barack Obama’s incoming American administration to draw up new international rules for English language websites.

The Cabinet minister describes the internet as "quite a dangerous place" and says he wants internet-service providers (ISPs) to offer parents "child-safe" web services.

Giving film-style ratings to individual websites is one of the options being considered, he confirms. When asked directly whether age ratings could be introduced, Mr Burnham replies: "Yes, that would be an option. This is an area that is really now coming into full focus."

Read on for all the other wacky things he says, but note also that there's no indication of whether the Obama administration would try to help him with his goals. The Obama campaign tried to stifle speech when they had the chance, so if it served their political goals they might try something. And, they might even find enough delusional followers to go along.

Other tags: england · first amendment · net nannies

Fri, 12/26/2008 - 22:47 · · Importance: 4

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