BAN SMUT, rage MEPs: Purpose of internet must be EXTERMINATED

MEPs are being urged to back a non-binding resolution that calls on the European Parliament to, in effect, ban pornography from the internet. A group of Euro politicos hope the web filth block will bring about a "genuine culture of equality" online.

A motion was tabled this week by the EU's committee on women’s rights and gender equality. A report titled Eliminating Gender Stereotypes in the EU urged all members of the European Parliament to support the draft resolution.

The panel stated that a policy to put an end to stereotypes portrayed in the media would "of necessity involve action in the digital field". The committee added that the EU would be required to coordinate action to develop a "genuine culture of equality on the internet".

It said:

[The committee] calls on the commission to draw up in partnership with the parties concerned a charter to which all internet operators will be invited to adhere.

This means that the 18 MEPs on the committee who backed the motion want to see the likes of Google and Facebook as well as ISPs censor the interwebs and effectively decide what should and shouldn't be classified as porn online.

It's highly unlikely, however, that the draft resolution will be adopted by the European Parliament given its flagrant disregard for human rights. MEPs get to vote on the motion on 12 March.

Campaign group European Digital Rights flagged up the report and was quick to dismiss it as barmy.

It is... extremely badly drafted and almost certainly too absurd to be taken seriously. However, it is still important for the European Parliament not to undermine its own credibility with such proposals. It is also important not to give any support to privatisation of the regulation of our freedom of speech.

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