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CANBERRA, Australia, Jun 9, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Australia is cracking down on books and films that encourage terrorism, including those that support violent jihad or suicide bombings.
Australia's Attorney General Philip Ruddock has written to state and territory censorship ministers, asking them to work with the federal government on the crackdown, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reports.
Ruddock turned to the state and territorial officials after efforts on the federal level were blocked.
The official said he was forced to act after the Australian Federal Police and the director of public prosecutions reported they were unable to use new sedition laws to pursue prosecutions, the network said.
"You have to weigh up people's right to life and safety and security with freedom of expression," Ruddock said. "And I think most reasonable people would take the view that publications that were likely to encourage or promote terrorism should be looked at very carefully."
Ruddock also asked the federal Classification Review Board to review its rulings that eight books and one film did not incite or promote violence.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
