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Court Strikes Down Internet Censorship Law
We just received word today that the Third Circuit struck down a federal Internet censorship law as unconstitutional. The law, called the Child Online Protection Act, imposed civil and criminal penalties on those who place “harmful to minors” material on the Web. Under this law, no adult, no matter how mature or responsible, would have been allowed to see material that is deemed unfit for a child. The law would have forced vast swaths of constitutionally protected speech off of the Web.
Today’s victory is a huge win that comes as a result of 10 years of litigation by a dedicated group of ACLU clients. All of our clients—from award-winning, established publications such as Salon to individuals such as Heather Corinna, who works largely on her own to provide valuable sexual health information geared toward teenagers—put up with a great deal of hassle and inconvenience and stress. By standing up for their own right to engage in free speech on the Web, they helped protect the rights of all Americans. They deserve our thanks.
Whether today’s opinion is the last to address COPA is up to the government and, ultimately, to the Supreme Court. The government has some time to decide whether it wants to ask the Court to review this case. Hopefully it will conclude that 10 years of litigation is enough. We just received word today that the Third Circuit struck down a federal Internet censorship law as unconstitutional. The law, called ... more -
Congress Dems to censor Congress' use of Social Web??
DISCLAIMER: This is pure heresay coming from Congressman John Culberson's twitter stream. http://twitter.com/johnculberson
UPDATE: Link in the comments to the actual PDF of the House Memo
If you aren't familiar, here's the backstory: A Republican Congressman from Texas is making brilliant use of the most modern of social web tools -- Twitter, Qik, Utterz -- to make transparent what he does throughout the day and what is going on in Washington.
He twittered this morning:
* "I just learned the Dems are trying to censor Congressmen's ability to use Twitter Qik YouTube Utterz etc - outrageous and I will fight them"
* "Dem "Supreme Soviet" leadership of House would have to approve every Twitter before I could post it!!!"
* "They want to require prior approval of all posts to any public social media/internet/www site by any member of Congress!!!"
* "Before I could post a Tweet I would have to get approval of the twits that run the House!"
Of course, 2 minutes after I got his last Tweet I got a Tweet from Barack Obama, what's the deal? Updates here as they come out... DISCLAIMER: This is pure heresay coming from Congressman John Culberson's twitter stream. http://twitter.com/johnculberson ... more -
Freedom of speech not guaranteed online
Rant all you want in a public park. A police officer generally won't eject you for your remarks alone, however unpopular or provocative.
Say it on the Internet, and you'll find that free speech and other constitutional rights are anything but guaranteed.
Companies in charge of seemingly public spaces online wipe out content that's controversial but otherwise legal. Service providers write their own rules for users worldwide and set foreign policy when they cooperate with regimes like China. They serve as prosecutor, judge and jury in handling disputes behind closed doors.
Rant all you want in a public park. A police officer generally won't eject you for your remarks alone, however unpopular or provocativ... more -
The Worst Corporations Of 2008
This video highlights a few a the worst corporations in 2008. It shows why they are the worst corporations.
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FCC Delays Free Wireless Internet Plans
The FCC had hoped to vote on a proposal that would require the winner of a spectrum auction next year to build out a free wireless broadband network in June, but those plans have been hindered yet again.
The network would be required to cover half of the country's citizens within four years, and 95 percent within a decade. However, certain types of content wouldn't be viewable on the network. It is this censorship that is part of the reason for the delay. While the efforts are meant to keep children protected from inappropriate content, it is not exactly clear how this would work, although the chairman apparently supports allowing adults to opt out.
The proposal might be up for a vote again at the July meeting. If voted and approved, the auction could occur by the end of the year.
The FCC had hoped to vote on a proposal that would require the winner of a spectrum auction next year to build out a free wireless bro... more -
China returns to normal - Arrests grieving parents
So much for the softer side of China.
Grieving parents who were demanding answers to the poor construction that lead to the deaths of thousands of children were arrested today. Apparently in China, protesting and demanding such answers just don't fly. An AP reporter was also detained. Can't wait for the Olympics now.
Check out more at the associated link. So much for the softer side of China. ... more -
Top 10 Banned Films of the 20th Century
This list clearly shows that if there's one constant throughout history, it's that censors have bad taste. Tin Drum? Titticut Follies? Classics!
I want to know what we should have banned. What movies were so bad or so useless that they didn't deserve to be made or seen by anyone? Bonus points for anyone who can back up their submission to the list with an illustrative video clip. This list clearly shows that if there's one constant throughout history, it's that censors have bad taste. Tin Drum? Titticut Follie... more -
PBS breaks ‘media blackout’ of NYT story on Pentagon propaganda
On Sunday, The New York Times published an explosive report exposing the Pentagon’s secret campaign to use analysts in order to “generate favorable news coverage of the administration’s wartime performance.” Since that time, TV news organizations have largely been silent on their role in the propaganda. Ari Melber notes that last night, PBS’s Newshour finally broke this blackout, but couldn’t convince the other networks to participate On Sunday, The New York Times published an explosive report exposing the Pentagon’s secret campaign to use analysts in order to “gener... more
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Net neutrality still matter?
Here was miss Congdon's stance on the matter in 2006...
Have you been keeping tabs on net neutrality? Does it still matter to you?
(you bloggers, podcasters, youtubers, current tv'ers, flash-gamers, bittorrenters, yousenditers, imeemers, tv-linksers, pornowatchers, fantasy football players, second lifers, and other nerds)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H69eCYcDcuQ Ask a ninja's take
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FIfu7B3sZY F.E.M.
http://www.savetheinternet.com/ Here was miss Congdon's stance on the matter in 2006... Have you been keeping tabs on net neutrality? Does it still matter to you? ... more -
ATT censors Pearl Jam Webcast
Monopolies: "Just trust us" A wake-up call for net neutrality
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Top censored stories for 2008
25 major news stories that aren't making the news in 2008.
Here's a few:
Bush Moves Toward Martial Law
US Military Controls Africa’s Resources
Human Traffic Builds US Embassy in Iraq
Behind Blackwater Inc.
The Scam of “Reconstruction” in Afghanistan
Another Massacre in Haiti by UN Troops
Drinking Water Contaminated by Military and Corporations
Mexico’s Stolen Election
No Hard Evidence Connecting Bin Laden to 9/11
25 major news stories that aren't making the news in 2008. Here's a few: Bush Moves Toward Martial Law ... more -
Save The Internet!
SavetheInternet.com Coalition is more than a million people who have banded together with thousands of non-profit organizations, businesses and bloggers to protect Internet freedom.
The Coalition believes that the Internet is a crucial engine for economic growth and free speech. They are working together to urge Congress to preserve Network Neutrality, the First Amendment of the Internet, which ensures that the Internet remains open to new ideas, innovation and progress.
SavetheInternet.com Coalition is more than a million people who have banded together with thousands of non-profit organizations, busin... more -
What Is Net Neutrality?
This video that explains why discrimination on the Internet is a problem and will continue to be as long as net neutrality rules are not enforced. This video that explains why discrimination on the Internet is a problem and will continue to be as long as net neutrality rules are n... more
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