The jury is out on the Rudd government's plan to censor the internet of offensive material using a custom-built filter and a set of legislation.

The Australian government, led by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, wants to censor materials that are not available via traditional mediums, like television and movies. For example, child pornography, extreme violence, etc.

The internet community, as expected when they hear the word 'censorship', has gone crazy.

The main issues of conjecture are:

• the internet community wants nothing censored because the internet is a special form of media that should remain untouched - the government feels internet should not be treated as 'special' enough to allow for vision of offensive material;
  
  
• the internet community says once you start censoring, you cannot guarantee that what you plan to censor will be what you end up censoring - the government says tests have proven their system is 100% accurate with no over- or under-censoring - Google says that is not possible;
  
  
• the internet community fears loss of speed caused by filter - the government says tests have proven slowness is minute (1/70th of a blink of an eye).

My thoughts are mixed.

As a realist, I believe such censorship will be more and more common throughout the world as user-generated content websites continue to grow. Allowing users the ability to upload video and other content means all sorts of content can get up.

But I do believe the internet is special.

A middle-ground argument is where I feel closest. That is, the filter is available to those households and workplaces who wish to opt in.

I believe many will opt in, and those internet purists will not. Everyone will be happy.

Click here to watch a Fairfax video interview with Minister Conroy.