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Proposals to regulate Internet obscene materials published

An inter-departmental working group proposes to introduce a series of measures to control obscene and indecent materials transmitted on the Internet.

The proposals which are contained in a paper published today (Wednesday) for consultation with the Internet Services Providers (ISPs), include:

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the introduction of a self-regulatory scheme, which encompasses the promulgation of a code of practice and the institution of a complaints handling mechanism by a self-regulatory body with members drawn from the industry;

the amendment to the law to establish beyond doubt that obscene and indecent materials transmitted on the Internet should be brought within the ambit of the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance (COIAO); and

the setting up of an industry body to represent the interests of ISPs and to liaise with the Government on industry-wide issues; such a body can also help to develop, maintain and enforce any code of practice adopted by industry members.

Commenting on the proposed regulatory approach, a spokesman for the Broadcasting, Culture and Sport Branch said there was increasing community concern over the availability of obscene and indecent materials which could be harmful if accessed by young people.

"However, since information and messages can originate from a large number of electronic addresses and sites in a global link of computer networks, it is very difficult to identify the content provider of a piece of obscene or indecent material," the spokesman said.

"Moreover, regulatory actions may prove to be very difficult if the materials originate from outside Hong Kong. The colossal amount of materials transmitted and the huge traffic through the Internet everyday makes any active monitoring scheme impracticable and perhaps even impossible.

"The working group therefore proposes to draw up a code of practice to set out the behavioural standards which the public can expect from the ISPs. Such a code can also provide a basis for discipline and compliance by the industry."