The web is always a soft target for politicians who don’t understand that communication is about more than broadcasting. Within the space of 24 hours the UK Prime Minister has cited the Internet first as a politically essential force for parental good and then, a few hours later without blinking, as a political force force for parental concern.
Speaking at the Labour conference in Manchester on Tuesday afternoon Mr Brown announced public funding for provision of free Internet access (computer vouchers) so that poor children will not be left behind without access to the web. So the Internet (web) must be a very good thing.
The next morning, speaking ilve on national television (BBC1), Mr Brown defended the forthcoming resignation of Ruth Kelly, Transport Secretary, on the grounds that she needs to spend more time with her four young children. Gordon expressed his sympathy for Ms Kelly’s family pressures and quickly said that ”as a parent you are always worried about what your children are downloading on the Internet…”
So Bad Internet then. For a few hours at least. I suppose Gordon Brown and his Government’s position on the web may change several times before you read this.
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