Blue Ribbon Campaign against Internet Censorship

The Blue Ribbon Campaign against Internet Censorship

I feel very strongly on the issue of internet censorship. People should have the right to say whatever they want, and show whatever they want on the internet. The government today is attempting to restrict these rights. But if we all pull together for this common cause, we can stop this action. The internet should be a place for people to get together and share their ideas freely. Some governmental bodies want to restrict profanity, for example. In many cases, this is simply not feasible. Big organizations just cannot monitor what all their users say at all times. Courts have agreed that it is not feasible to monitor all forms of medium -- such as newgroups, chatrooms, and IRC. There are numerous programs that are very easy to get that will block pornographic sites and sites with controversial topics for INDIVIDUAL HOME USE. Some of these are actually free. "The major online service providers offer parental control options free of charge. These controls permit parents to block access to the Internet entirely, or to block access to specific modes of communication (such as newsgroups or chat rooms), to all visual images, or to all of the Internet except for areas the service provider has determined are appropriate for children. Software, which can be utilized on home computers to enable parents either to block or to filter the access of their children to material on the Internet, is also readily available. These "user-based" parental control options block or screen speech regardless of whether it is posted domestically or abroad." Quote taken from this URL

Just because some people have a problem with this (and they have a right to), everyone should not be punished because of this. The Communications Decency Act does not target pornography and related items because it is already illegal.

"It is also important to note that the CDA is not about child pornography, obscenity, or using the Internet to stalk children. These are already illegal under current law. Instead, the CDA prohibits posting "indecent" or "patently offensive" materials in a public forum on the Internet -- including web pages, newsgroups, chat rooms, or online discussion lists. This would include the texts of classic fiction such as the "Catcher in the Rye" and "Ulysees", the "7 dirty words", and other materials which, although offensive to some, enjoy the full protection of the First Amendment if published in a newspaper, magazine, or a book, or in the public square." Quote taken from this URL

Some of the items that the government considers "indecent" are unbelievable. Some items are very educational, but they would be banned if these people had their way also. Some of these sites include The HIV Infoweb, the Breastfeeding Page, Advice on Sexual Health, Family Planning, and the Information on Safer Sex & STD's page. Some of these sites just blow my mind. For example, The text of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is on the list to be banned. As is The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne and The King James Bible. Many works of today's popular entertainers would be banned, including Alanis Morisette and Pearl Jam. Many images such as Madonna and Child are considered improper and would be banned. Most incredibly, the law criminalizes the electronic publication of the yellow pages listing of abortion clinics.

As you can see, many items available in local libraries and newsstands would be banned from the internet. Not only is this improper, it is ridiculous! If you share these views, you can support this cause by going to The EFF Blue Ribbon Page. If you missed the link on the main page, click here for a great censorship protest page. Stand up for your constitutional rights!

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