EFFector Online Newsletter
Vol. 11, No. 5 May 8, 1998 editor@eff.org
A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation ISSN 1062-9424
IN THIS ISSUE
* ACTION ALERT: OPPOSE GOVERNMENT-MANDATED INTERNET FILTERING! SEND
A FREE FAX TO YOUR SENATORS
1. ACTION TO TAKE
2. BACKGROUND
* ADMINISTRIVIA
See http://www.eff.org for more information on EFF activities &
alerts!
_________________________________________________________________
ACTION ALERT: OPPOSE GOVERNMENT-MANDATED INTERNET FILTERING!
SEND A FREE FAX TO YOUR SENATORS
Issued May 8, 1998
RE-DISTRIBUTE WIDELY IN APPROPRIATE FORUMS UNTIL MAY 31
ACTION TO TAKE
The United States Senate may vote as early as next week on the
"Internet School Filtering Act" (S. 1619). The bill would require
libraries and schools receiving federal Internet subsidies to install
filtering software designed to prevent children from accessing
"inappropriate" material. EFF, ACLU and EPIC are sponsoring an online
campaign to oppose this measure. By visiting any of the following
links, you can send faxes -- free of charge! -- to your two Senators:
http://www.eff.org/blueribbon/
http://www.aclu.org/congress/cybmarch.html
http://www.epic.org/free_speech/action/
BACKGROUND
On March 12, the Senate Commerce Committee approved the "Internet
School Filtering Act" (S. 1619). The bill would require schools and
libraries receiving federal "e-rate" Internet subsidies to certify
that they are using filtering software designed to prevent minors from
accessing "inappropriate" material.
The bill raises serious constitutional questions. In a decision issued
on April 7, a federal judge in Virginia rejected an effort to dismiss
a challenge to Internet filtering at a public library, finding that
"the Library Board may not adopt and enforce content- based
restrictions on access to protected Internet speech" unless it meets
the highest level of constitutional scrutiny.
Several studies have found that a great amount of valuable educational
material is blocked by filtering programs. Some filtering systems even
block access to web sites created by elementary schools for elementary
school children. Filtering requirements are inconsistent with the goal
of providing our children a rich educational experience and, when
mandated by government, violative of the First Amendment.
Many local communities have decided that the best approach is one that
emphasizes acceptable use policies and Internet education programs.
They have rejected the use of filtering software as ineffective and
contrary to educational objectives. They've decided to instill values
rather than install filters. Tell Congress to leave this issue to
local communities, and not to mandate a federal, one-size-fits-all
filtering requirement.
Additional information on Internet filtering is also available at the
Internet Free Expression Alliance website:
http://www.ifea.net
NOTE: Non-US citizens may also wish to contact US Senators to object
to this draconian legislation. It would be most appropriate to contact
Senate leadership:
Party Last Name, First Name Voice Phone Fax
State
-----------------------------------------------------------------
R SC Thurmond, Strom +1-202-224-5972 +1-202-224-1300
R MS Lott, Trent +1-202-224-6253 +1-202-224-2262
D SD Daschle, Thomas +1-202-224-2321 +1-202-224-2047
R OK Nickles, Don +1-202-224-5754 +1-202-224-6008
D KY Ford, Wendell +1-202-224-4343 +1-202-224-0046
R FL Mack, Connie +1-202-224-5274 +1-202-224-8022
R ID Craig, Larry +1-202-224-2752 +1-202-224-2573
D MA Kerry, John +1-202-224-2742 +1-202-224-8525
US Senate leaders are, respectively: President Pro-Tempore, Majority
Leader, Minority Leader & Democratic Policy Committee Chair, Majority
Whip, Min. Whip, Republican Conference Chair, Rep. Policy Cmte. Chair,
Dem. Steering Cmte. Chair.
See EFF's Contacting Congress Factsheet at http://www.eff.org/congress
which provides links to places to look up who your legislator is for
information on sending postal letters to US legislators.
_________________________________________________________________
ADMINISTRIVIA
EFFector is published by:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
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Editor: Stanton McCandlish, Program Director/Webmaster (mech@eff.org)
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