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  • From: internetworkers AT lists.ibiblio.org (Gina Norman)
  • Subject: [internetworkers] New topic: Request for information on Censorship (NO FLAMES, ple ase)
  • Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 17:19:23 -0500

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All-

I have been asked to moderate/facilitate a discussion of internet censorship
at my alma matter, NCSSM.

I'm reading up in preparation (though my main role is to ask questions and
get the students thinking) and I'd like y'all's advice on a few topics. I
*really* am not interested in sarcastic or snide responses (though, of
course, you are, as always, free to make them) -- I need help presenting a
balanced view of a difficult topic and I thought you all might be able to
help.

As far as format, each of my two sessions is 1 hr. 15 mins. long, and I am
to give a short (10 min.-ish) "intro" before launching into discussion.

1) Background reading:

There's obviously an (almost overwhelming) amount of information on the
subject; however, I'd like to find a single article that I could "assign" as
pre-discussion reading that raises the major questions, and perhaps mentions
(if not fully explains) the current legal situation in as balanced a fashion
as possible. I have found this article:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Artic
le_Type1&c=Article&cid=1035776558409&call_pageid=968350072197&col=9690488638
51

which I like a great deal; however, I was wondering if anyone could present
alternatives. Basically I'd like 3-8 pages, available online, no more. (I
wish I could just send'em to EFF, but it's way too convoluted...)

2) Major ponderables:
I'd like to generate a set of questions that can get the discussion started
(or scoot it along, should it stall). My personal POV is almost always
against censorship; however, as a facilitator I'd really like to be able to
play devil's advocate on this, so if you can help me think through the
issues from "the other side" that would be helpful.

Here's what I have so far (not in any order yet):
* Why would an organization want to censor? (what about sites that can
harm others, like [maybe] child pornography)
* What about "hate speech" -- where are the boundaries (are there
any?) between freedom of speech and hate speech? (There's a case, filed in
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, in which the ACLU argues
that the First Amendment supports a November 2001 decision in which a
federal judge rejected an attempt by the French courts to force U.S.-based
Internet portal Yahoo Inc. to block French users' access to web pages that
contain speech related to Nazism.)
* What if internet access is privately funded (through a private
school, for instance) -- should the school have the right to censor/filter
content?
* What about publicly funded access? (The so-called Children's
Internet Protection Act ties crucial library funding to the mandated use of
blocking programs on Internet terminals in public libraries.)
* What kinds of content get censored? (sexual, hate speech, terrorist,
what else?)
* What about blocking within a business when the sites in question
clearly are not helping employees accomplish their work tasks *and* might
put company in legal problem (pr0n)
* Can blocking software work without also disabling access to
health-relate sites (AOL/breast cancer example)
* What about anti-terrorism? (Raisethefist.com was an alternative
media site conversing a diversity of subjects including anarchism, activism,
and current events not reported by mainstream media or even what passes as
alternative media were reported and commented on in an open publishing
format available to the public. On January 24, 2002 approximately 25-30
individuals, mostly federal agents, but also LAPD, and LA Sherriffs Dept
personnel according to one source, raided the raisethefist.com founder's
home fully armed, confiscated some of his property and shut down the site
along with the newly opened, laanrchists.org site that he also recently
created, IndyMedia <http://indymedia.org:8081/print.php3?article_id=125165>,
January 27, 2002, Newsbytes <http://www.newsbytes.com>, January 31, 2002)
* What other options are available? (Content labeling, parental
education? PICS conventions: On the Internet, we can do still better, with
richer labels that reflect diverse viewpoints, and more flexible selection
criteria. PICS (note 2) <http://www.w3.org/PICS/iacwcv2.htm#note2>, the
Platform for Internet Content Selection, establishes Internet conventions
for label formats and distribution methods, while dictating neither a
labeling vocabulary nor who should pay attention to which labels. It is
analogous to specifying where on a package a label should appear, and in
what font it should be printed, without specifying what it should say.
http://www.w3.org/PICS/iacwcv2.htm)

3) Further resources:
I'd like to provide a list of further resources for reading/action, should
the students choose. Here's what I have -- what should I add:

* Electronic Frontier Foundation (http://www.eff.org) and more
specifically:
* Blue Ribbon Campaign (http://www.eff.org/br/)
* ACLU: http://www.aclu.org/Cyber-Liberties/Cyber-LibertiesMain.cfm
and more specifically,
* ACLU page on Internet Censorship:
http://www.aclu.org/Cyber-Liberties/Cyber-Libertieslist.cfm?c=59
* Statement from NCSU on Napster:
http://www.ncsu.edu/it/rulesregs/statements/napster.html

I'd love another article that deals specifically with NC university systems
and censorship.

Ideas/thoughts are welcomed.

Thanks,

Gina



Gina Norman
Senior Manager, Global Web Governance
ginanorm AT nortelnetworks.com
919-905-4801 (ESN 355)
http://www.nortelnetworks.com



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<BR>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">All-</FONT>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">I have been asked to =
moderate/facilitate a discussion of internet censorship at my alma =
matter, NCSSM.</FONT>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">I'm reading up in preparation (though =
my main role is to ask questions and get the students thinking) and I'd =
like y'all's advice on a few topics.</FONT><FONT SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">&nbsp; I *really* am not interested in sarcastic or =
snide responses (though, of course, you are, as always, free to make =
them) -- I need help presenting a balanced view of a difficult topic =
and I thought you all might be able to help.&nbsp; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">As far as format, each of my two =
sessions is 1 hr. 15 mins. long, and I am to give a short (10 min.-ish) =
&quot;intro&quot; before launching into discussion.</FONT></P>

<P><B><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">1) Background reading:</FONT></B>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">There's obviously an (almost =
overwhelming) amount of information on the subject; however, I'd like =
to find a single article that I could &quot;assign&quot; as =
pre-discussion reading that raises the major questions, and perhaps =
mentions (if not fully explains) the current legal situation in as =
balanced a fashion as possible.&nbsp; I have found this =
article:</FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial"><A =
HREF=3D"http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=3Dthesta=
r/Layout/Article_Type1&c=3DArticle&cid=3D1035776558409&call_pageid=3D968=
350072197&col=3D969048863851" =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagenam=
e=3Dthestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=3DArticle&cid=3D1035776558409&call_pa=
geid=3D968350072197&col=3D969048863851</A></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">which I like a great deal; however, I =
was wondering if anyone could present alternatives.&nbsp; Basically I'd =
like 3-8 pages</FONT><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">, available =
online</FONT><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">, no more.&nbsp;</FONT> =
<FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">(I wish I could just send'em to EFF, but =
it's way too convoluted...)</FONT></P>

<P><B><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">2) Major ponderables:</FONT></B>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">I'd like to generate a set of =
questions that can get the discussion started (or scoot it along, =
should it stall).&nbsp; My personal POV is almost always against =
censorship; however, as a facilitator I'd really like to be able to =
play devil's advocate on this, so if you can help me think through the =
issues from &quot;the other side&quot; that would be =
helpful.</FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Here's what I have so far</FONT><FONT =
SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial"> (not in any order yet)</FONT><FONT SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">:</FONT>

<UL><LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Why would an organization want to =
censor? (what about sites that can harm others, like [maybe] child =
pornography)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">What about &quot;hate speech&quot; -- =
where are the boundaries (are there any?) between freedom of speech and =
hate speech?&nbsp; (There's a case, filed in Ninth Circuit Court of =
Appeals in San Francisco, in which the ACLU argues that the First =
Amendment supports a November 2001 decision in which a federal judge =
rejected an attempt by the French courts to force U.S.-based Internet =
portal Yahoo Inc. to block French users' access to web pages that =
contain speech related to Nazism.)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">What if internet access is privately =
funded (through a private school, for instance) -- should the school =
have the right to censor/filter content?</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">What about publicly funded access? =
(</FONT><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">The so-called Children's Internet =
Protection Act ties crucial library funding to the mandated use of =
blocking programs on Internet terminals in public =
libraries.</FONT><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">)</FONT><FONT SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial"></FONT> </LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">What kinds of content get censored? =
(sexual, hate speech, terrorist, what else?)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">What about blocking within a business =
when the sites in question clearly are not helping employees accomplish =
their work tasks *and* might put company in legal problem =
(pr0n)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Can blocking software work without =
also disabling access to health-relate sites (AOL/breast cancer =
example)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">What about anti-terrorism? =
(Raisethefist.com was an alternative media site conversing a diversity =
of subjects including anarchism, activism, and current events not =
reported by mainstream media or even what passes as alternative media =
were reported and commented on in an open publishing format available =
to the public. On January 24, 2002 approximately 25-30 individuals, =
mostly federal agents, but also LAPD, and LA Sherriffs Dept personnel =
according to one source, raided the raisethefist.com founder's home =
fully armed, confiscated some of his property and shut down the site =
along with the newly opened, laanrchists.org site that he also recently =
created,<U> </U></FONT><U><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF" SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">IndyMedia &lt;<A =
HREF=3D"http://indymedia.org:8081/print.php3?article_id=3D125165"; =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://indymedia.org:8081/print.php3?article_id=3D1251=
65</A>&gt;</FONT></U><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">, January 27, =
2002,</FONT><U> <FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF" SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">Newsbytes &lt;<A HREF=3D"http://www.newsbytes.com"; =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.newsbytes.com</A>&gt;</FONT></U><FONT =
SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">, January 31, 2002)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">What other options are =
available?&nbsp; (Content labeling, parental education? PICS =
conventions:&nbsp;</FONT> <FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">On the =
Internet, we can do still better, with richer labels that reflect =
diverse viewpoints, and more flexible selection =
criteria.</FONT><U></U><U> <FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF" SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">PICS (note 2) &lt;<A =
HREF=3D"http://www.w3.org/PICS/iacwcv2.htm#note2"; =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.w3.org/PICS/iacwcv2.htm#note2</A>&gt;</FONT=
></U><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">, the</FONT><U> <FONT SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">P</FONT></U><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">latform =
for</FONT><U> <FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">I</FONT></U><FONT SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">nternet</FONT><U> <FONT SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">C</FONT></U><FONT SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">ontent</FONT><U> <FONT SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">S</FONT></U><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">election, =
establishes Internet conventions for label formats and distribution =
methods, while dictating neither a labeling vocabulary nor who should =
pay attention to which labels. It is analogous to specifying where on a =
package a label should appear, and in what font it should be printed, =
without specifying what it should say. <A =
HREF=3D"http://www.w3.org/PICS/iacwcv2.htm"; =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.w3.org/PICS/iacwcv2.htm</A></FONT><FONT =
FACE=3D"Arial">)</FONT></LI>
<BR>
</UL>
<P><B><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">3) Further resources:</FONT></B>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">I'd like to provide a list of further =
resources for reading/action, should the students choose.&nbsp; Here's =
what I have -- what should I add:</FONT></P>

<UL><LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Electronic Frontier Foundation =
(<A HREF=3D"http://www.eff.org"; =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.eff.org</A>)</FONT> <FONT SIZE=3D2 =
FACE=3D"Arial">and more specifically:</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Blue Ribbon Campaign (<A =
HREF=3D"http://www.eff.org/br/"; =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.eff.org/br/</A>)</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">ACLU:&nbsp; <A =
HREF=3D"http://www.aclu.org/Cyber-Liberties/Cyber-LibertiesMain.cfm"; =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.aclu.org/Cyber-Liberties/Cyber-LibertiesMai=
n.cfm</A> and more specifically,</FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">ACLU page on Internet =
Censorship:&nbsp; <A =
HREF=3D"http://www.aclu.org/Cyber-Liberties/Cyber-Libertieslist.cfm?c=3D=
59" =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.aclu.org/Cyber-Liberties/Cyber-Libertieslis=
t.cfm?c=3D59</A></FONT></LI>
<LI><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Statement from NCSU on Napster:&nbsp; =
<A HREF=3D"http://www.ncsu.edu/it/rulesregs/statements/napster.html"; =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.ncsu.edu/it/rulesregs/statements/napster.ht=
ml</A></FONT></LI>
<BR>
</UL>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">I'd love another article that deals =
specifically with NC university systems and censorship.</FONT>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Ideas/thoughts are welcomed. </FONT>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Thanks,</FONT>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Gina</FONT>
</P>
<BR>
<BR>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Gina Norman</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">Senior Manager, Global Web =
Governance</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">ginanorm AT nortelnetworks.com</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">919-905-4801 (ESN 355)</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial"><A =
HREF=3D"http://www.nortelnetworks.com"; =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://www.nortelnetworks.com</A></FONT>
</P>

<P><FONT SIZE=3D2 FACE=3D"Arial">&nbsp;</FONT>
</P>

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