The Cutting Edge: COMPUTING / TECHNOLOGY / INNOVATION : FORUM : Exon Proposal: Censorship or Sensible?
Last week in The Cutting Edge, Lawrence J. Magid’s Computer File column criticized a legislative proposal by Sen. J. James Exon (D-Neb.) that would extend some provisions of the Communications Act to cyberspace. The aim of the bill is to stop pornography and harassment on-line, but the effect, according to Magid, would be censorship.
The Cutting Edge asked for readers’ views on this issue and received scores of replies, almost all expressing opposition to the Exon proposal. Excerpts from some of the responses:
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Sen. Exon’s bill attempts to get the government into the censorship business. It is not a reasonable or thoughtful attempt to solve a problem, nor does it follow the model of a constitutional government using only enumerated powers. I consider it to be an attack on the 1st Amendment and the 4th Amendment.
The whole thing is objectionable for other reasons as well. It starts with the dangerous idea that parents are unqualified to choose what their children see. Of course Big Brother knows best. Another disturbing aspect is using children as an excuse not only to control, but to dumb down the content of an entire medium. I note for the record that this is not the first medium so ruined.
TIM ESTLE
West Hills
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It would be more than a shame if Congress should pass a law restricting the content of on-line speech, it would be an abridgment of 1st Amendment rights. And, given the international nature of the Internet, it would be ineffective and, overall, unenforceable.
The Internet is just about all we have left in this culture in the way of unmediated opportunity to disseminate opinions and ideas, both popular and unpopular, commercial and uncommercial. The possibilities are so immense in these forums that I think any attempt to regulate or limit this free expression would damage and curtail its promise significantly. I am aware that the Net is sometimes used as a conduit for communication of a frank or sexual nature. Just the same, should an outside source make sexual speech on-line a criminal act, not only would ephemeral communication of a sexual nature be affected, the Web sites and newsgroups devoted to sexual health and AIDS awareness and prevention would also most likely be declared off-limits.
KEVIN MARTIN
Silver Lake
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While I have no use for pornography or obscenity, whether on computer, television, or the movie screens, I feel no compulsion to deny others whatever it is that turns them on. As for the occasional bizarre messages that appear on bulletin boards, these are a part of the environment that makes it all so interesting. If one is offended, one can either avoid the sender in the future or--what is sometimes more satisfying--engage in a flame war to put the culprit in his place.
ROBERT E. GOYETTE
Rolling Hills Estate
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I’m the sysop (systems operator) of a local bulletin board system, and my partners and I have been watching these developments closely, as they relate directly to our system. I constantly screen all files on my board for anything that could be construed as child pornography, but everything else has been left alone, no matter how obscene I might find the picture.
I will have to change my method of sorting these files if the federal government takes a new interest in keeping cyberspace “clean.” It will also hurt my business.
In my opinion, trying to do this will be an extreme waste of time and resources, as most of the “pornography” posted on the Internet comes from other countries, mostly Denmark and Sweden, the other two biggest users of the Internet next to the United States. The sheer volume of material available outside the country makes it next to impossible to keep U.S. users from obtaining the material--unless the government restricts international access to the Internet, which would defeat the whole purpose the Internet was designed for.
MICHAEL D. REICK
Terminal Fantasies BBS
East Los Angeles
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Electronic bulletin boards and discussion groups require the user to “join” the discussion. Thus if the user does not wish to see obscene material or discussions of offensive topics, he or she can simply leave the discussion, much like with a chat line or a 900 number.
However, I agree with Sen. Exon’s general view that the Communications Act of 1934 should be amended so that it applies equally in the electronic world. Provisions that apply to obscene or harassing phone calls should apply equally to e-mail or “talk” connections. This would provide users with protection against being harassed or receiving offensive material against their will. These provisions could be applied similarly to direct voice and video connections should those services be added to the Internet.
DANIEL ZAPPALA
