Internet censorship
February 17, 2010
German President Horst Koehler signed a controversial measure on Wednesday that prohibits child pornography on the internet and allows the government to block access to offending websites.
However, it's unlikely the law will go into effect, as the current coalition government has no plans to censor internet access, said Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser -Schnarrenberger. The newly signed legislation had been proposed by the previous administration but never signed.
Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said a new arrangement was underway, which would remove pornographic websites rather than block access them.
Critics however warn that enforcing such a strategy could prove problematic, since internet servers are often located in countries where Germany has no legal aid agreements.
Opponents of the law fear that government offices could abuse the power to begin blocking other websites beyond those with child pornography, endangering freedom of speech.
smh/AFP/dpa
Editor: Andreas Illmer