Stop Censorship Letters

NEW - Follow this link to a more recent letter I wrote in response to an editorial supporting net censorship and perpetuating the net porn myth.

Annoyed with the state of censorship. I certainly am, and was particularly so on discovering that the new OFLC Print Guidelines are as censor-crazy as the film guidelines. It seems that not content with censoring the internet and reducing it to a childs level, now they want to do the same with print publications. This means books ! Not just skin mags, but all print publications are subject to these controls. This enraged me sufficiently to draft off a few 'Letters to the Editor'. I have included these below as a guide to the sorts of things you can get away with saying when restricted by the typical 200 word limit.

As I have sent letters to several major newspapers, and a number of minor ones, it is probably best that you DO NOT COPY AND PASTE these letters directly. A paper that receives several letters that look the same may decide to not publish any, or only publish one of them. Thus the following letters should simply serve as samples and inspiration.

Sample 1

'Another Round of Censorship'

Land of the free, think again. New censorship guidelines for print publications, including books, are set to come into effect in September. It seems that not only does the government deem us incompetent to make our own decisions about using the internet, a relatively new medium,- but now it intends to make sure we don't read anything too sexy, too violent or too controversial in books as well.

Adult themes such as suicide, violence, sex, serious illness and racism - must all be dealt with discreetly and in a low impact manner. Failure to comply will result in the dreaded R classification and a sealed plastic wrapper - no more browsing before you buy. One can only presume by these measure that the government prefer we not discuss these issues at all in our literature.

The new guidelines also raise the spectre of the tyranny of the majority. The censors definition of 'reasonable adult' appears to exclude those who disagree with generally accepted community standards. Freedom of speech, freedom of choice? Only if you agree with the mums and dads of conservative middle Australia it seems.

Sample 2:

'Letter to the Editor'

It seems that not only does the government deem us incompetent to make our own decisions about using the internet, a relatively new medium,- but now it intends to make sure we don't read anything too sexy, too violent or too controversial in books as well. New censorship guidelines for print publications, including books, are set to come into effect in September.

The new guidelines definition of 'reasonable adult' also appears to exclude those who disagree with generally accepted community standards. Freedom of speech, freedom of choice? Only if you agree with the censors views on decency it would seem.

Sample 3:

Not content with tightening the censorship rules for new technologies such as the internet and television, the government has now turned its attention to print publications. New censorship guidelines for print publications, including books, are set to come into effect in September. The new guidelines aim to make sure we don't read anything too sexy, too violent or too controversial in books, or at least make it more difficult to do so.

Under the new rules, adult themes including suicide, violence, sex, serious illness and racism - must now be dealt with discreetly and in a low impact manner. Failure to comply means a sealed plastic wrapper - no more browsing before you buy. The censors also plan to play literary critic, gratuitous sex, violence or nudity that doesn't meet the censors definition of artistic merit can get a publication banned, or plastic wrapped in the less severe cases.

So much for entering a new millenium of tolerance, diversity and greater individual liberty.

Sample 4:

Censorship -who needs it? Apparently we do according to our government. New censorship guidelines for print publications, including books, are set to come into effect in September. Not content with tightening the censorship rules for new technologies such as the internet, attention has now turned to a far older medium.

The new guidelines supposedly help protect us from harm by making sure that all magazine covers are so inoffensive and bland that they no longer provide a useful guide to what's inside. The provisions requiring some publications to carry an advisory that they are suitable for mature persons only may wind up encouraging the purchase of these publications.

Not that they will contain anything too controversial. The new rules dictate that adult themes, including suicide, violence, sex, serious illness and racism - must be dealt with discreetly and in a low impact manner. Failure to comply means a sealed plastic wrapper - no more browsing before you buy.

The new definition of 'reasonable adult' also appears to exclude those who disagree with generally accepted community standards. Freedom of speech, freedom of choice? Only if you agree with the censors views on decency it would

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