A few months back, we introduced the Transposition of East & West as a pervasive trend in which there is a two-way influence of not only traditional Western values, traits, and characteristics on Eastern cultures (via “Westernization,” or “Americanization”) – but traditionally Eastern values, traits, and characteristics on Western cultures to an extent perhaps unforeseen in recent times. Eastern cultures traditionally perceived as more conservative are opening up, while Western cultures traditionally viewed as more progressive are becoming more restrictive.

The concept of government-backed web censorship is usually associated with nations where human rights and freedom of speech are routinely curtailed. However, if plans for a mandatory Internet filter go ahead, Australia may soon become the first Western democracy to join the ranks of Iran, China and a handful of other nations where access to the Internet (or at least part of the Internet) is restricted by the state.

As could be expected, the push for this Internet reform is being met with resistance from several groups in Australia. What will this all mean for the future of Internet expression in other countries previously viewed as “Western” and impenetrable to the forces of filtering/censorship? Does this signal a longer-term shift in Australian thinking, or is this merely an anomaly borne of the current political climate?