CSC 379 SUM2008:Week 4, Group 3

Many municipalities are beginning to provide free (taxpayer- or advertising-funded) citywide wireless Internet access. Many municipalities are also considering filtering the connections, usually to stop pornography. However, allowing the government to control information flow is fraught with danger to free speech, especially in the absence of any laws limiting the government's authority. Examine the ethical considerations posed by filtering of municipal WAN connections.

• http://www.wifinetnews.com/archives/006299.html
• http://people.w3.org/~djweitzner/blog/?p=90

Dangers of Internet Filtering

• Who decides what is appropriate and what isn't?
  • The first amendment guarantees the right to free speech, how can the government justify blocking certain webpages?
• What criteria are used to decide whether a website is obscene?
  • Example: Denver airports block "racy" content
• Who is and isn't allowed to access certain material on public networks?
  • Example: Oregon County Libraries propose age-based internet filters
• Are there sufficient laws to protect user's rights?
  • Most legislatures are blissfully unaware of even the most basic computer/internet functions, who could possibly expect them to understand the complex legal issues involved with internet free speech?

Links and Resources

• Censorship with your Free Wifi? Computer World
• Should Libraries Censor Internet Access?
• How many states censor?
• Ruling in library Internet filter case was correct
• Oregon Libraries propose age-based filters