IP: CDA: It's Not Over Yet

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

To: farber () cis upenn edu
From: Audrie Krause <akrause () igc apc org>


FYI, to put some perspective on the Supreme Court decision:


June 26, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   


Contact: Audrie Krause
Phone: 415-775-8674
E-mail: akrause () igc org


NetAction Applauds CDA Ruling; Cautions More Free Speech Attacks On Horizon


SAN FRANCISCO - NetAction applauded today's U.S. Supreme Court decision
rejecting the Communications Decency Act (CDA) as unconstitutional, but
cautioned free speech advocates not to become complacent.


"This is not the end of it," warned Audrie Krause, Executive Director of
NetAction.  "Local libraries are increasingly coming under attack by the
Christian right for providing Internet access to citizens in their
communities."


While today's Supreme Court victory and similar decisions issued recently by
state courts in New York and Georgia may put a halt to direct attempts to
censor Internet content, indirect attacks are likely to increase, according
to Krause.


"Instead of demanding that Internet access be banned outright, would-be
censors are now pressuring local public libraries to add filtering software
to computers that allow library patrons to go online," Krause said.  


"These filters are a far more insidious form of censorship," she added,
since many citizens have no way of accessing the Internet except through
computers in their public libraries.


In addition to banning access to pornographic Web sites, most of the
filtering software on the market today bans access to sites with information
about AIDS and safe sex practices, birth control, and sexuality.  Some even
ban sites containing political speech, such as the site hosted by the
National Organization for Women (NOW).


"Many of the proponents of filtering software are intent on denying citizens
access to ideas and values that differ from their own," said Krause.  


"It is unfortunate that the debate over Internet censorship was framed
around the issue of access to pornography," she added.  "What is really at
issue is whether the Christian right can impose its values on all citizens
in cyberspace."


This will become more apparent, Krause predicted, as the censorship debate
moves from legislative arena to the local libraries serving our communities.


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