Libraries oppose Minister Karpela's proposal for Internet content filtering

Tanja Saarela

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The libraries of large Finnish cities have not warmed to Minister of Culture Tanja Karpela's (Centre Party) proposal that special gatekeeper software should be installed on all computers in public libraries in order to protect children by preventing their access to websites with harmful content .
      Currently, content filtering software is not in use in the public libraries of Espoo, Vantaa, Turku, Tampere, Jyväskylä, and Oulu, and they have no plans to acquire such software - at least not in the near future.
      In Helsinki, the public libraries restrain only the use of the RuneScape online game that is popular among young library-users.
      The libraries regard the browsing of indecent websites on their premises as a minor problem.
      Typically, the open-access terminals can be placed so that the library staff can keep an eye on what their customers are doing and looking at.
     
In Vantaa's public libraries, this kind of gatekeeper software was in use for over a year, but it was abandoned in February.
      "The public library is a sanctuary of the freedom of speech, and it has to allow its customers to have free access to all sites", says Library Manager Seija Köppä from Vantaa.
      The biggest problem related with the freedom of speech and filtering is the fact that apart from harmful websites, an Internet content filtering programme can prevent access even to ordinary websites.
      According to Tuula Haavisto, who has conducted research into the issue of Internet filtering, following a commission from the Finnish Library Association, gatekeeper software is only part of the solution when fighting against the "pornographization" of society. The major role belongs to media education.
     
On the other hand, Internet content filtering software is in use at least in the public libraries of Vaasa and Hollola. In Hämeenlinna, only one library uses such a programme, while the city of Lahti will install gatekeeper software soon.
      "Previously, customers complained a lot about improper websites. However, there are no complaints any more", notes Library Director Birgitta Aurén, of Vaasa City Library. Gatekeeper software is being used by all ten libraries in Vaasa.
      Library Manager Jaakko Lyyra of Hollola's public library does not believe that the content filtering of open-access terminals would compromise the freedom of speech.
      "I do not know whose freedom of speech it would promote if children had access to all stuff that is currently available on websites", he argues.
      Minister Karpela herself is not surprised at the low number of gatekeeper programmes that are in use in the Finnish libraries.
      "This internet content filtering software is still fairly unknown. People do not know precisely what it is and how it can be used", she concludes.
      Internet content filtering is a computer programme which prevents access to harmful websites, containing for example racist propaganda, pornographic pictures, or pro-drug information.
      In order to protect children by preventing their access to websites with harmful content, the Ministry of Education published a survey on Internet content filtering in February.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Minister Karpela to clean up filth from Finnish school computers (4.2.2005)

Links:
  Ministry of Education
  Finnish Library Association

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