EFFector Online Newsletter

  Vol. 11, No. 5               May 8, 1998                [email protected]
  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

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