IWF Re-Visits Newsgroup Policy
A number of comments from the Internet industry, government and children's welfare organisations have asked IWF to consider even stronger action to address paedophile activity in Usenet newsgroups.
The IWF Board considered further proposals from its Chair, Roger Darlington, at its meeting on 15th November 2001. The Board resolved to:
- Recommend all ISPs serving UK customers not to host newsgroups which the IWF identifies as regularly containing child pornography, the criteria for "regular" being determined by the IWF Board.
- Instruct that the IWF executive, in consultation with interested parties, draws up criteria and, using those criteria, a list of newsgroups which have names that appear to advertise or advocate paedophile content or activity, this to be presented to the next Board meeting.
- Draw up a code of practice covering the conduct expected of ISPs who are subscribers to IWF, a draft of this code to be submitted to the next Board meeting.
- Initiate a discussion concerning the size and composition of the Board, the selection process for members, and any other relevant matters of governance.
The meeting was adjourned to deal with other aspects of its business at a later date. However, the draft notes of the completed business, including the detail of resolutions on the above decisions, will be placed on the IWF Web site within a fortnight in the usual way.
David Kerr, Chief Executive
Created: Fri, November 16th, 2001 | Last Modified: Sat, October 9th, 2004
