NEWS: Internet censorship |
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| Online article: Libraries and the internet Contents of other sections: FEATURES NEWS LETTERS |
The statute of libertines?The American Internet Decency Act is currently being considered by the Supreme Court, with the American Library Association looking for confirmation of the earlier verdict that restricting the content of the superhighway is unconstitutional. Meanwhile American libraries are having to deal with some very practical problems. And, as with the initial censorship debate, and indeed the Internet itself, what is happening over there could shortly be happening over here. The issue is over users accessing pornographic or offensive sites, and what steps libraries are permitted to take to stop them. Approximately 50 per cent of America's libraries are now on the Internet and, although no study has been done on what users are looking at, it is likely that the vast majority of usage is not problematic. However, there are a small number of users who are intent on using public terminals to access pornographic material. Some librarians, according to Microsoft/NBC, are worried that they could face prosecution under 'harmful to minors' legis-lation unless they take steps to stop this. Others are reported to be considering filing sexual harassment suits against their employers because they are exposed to offensive material while walking past terminals. American Libraries also reports some extreme behaviour such as one user masturbating at the terminal and another attempting to lure minors across to look at pornographic material. As in this country, much faith has been put in software which blocks access to certain sites, particularly a programme called CyberPatrol. But, as with all such software, there is the danger that, in blocking access to a small number of offensive sites, important information can be restricted. Information on HIV/ Aids is a frequently quoted example. In the US, there is also the difficulty that restricting information to adults could in itself be breaking the First Amendment of the Constitution. Legal advice seems to indicate that filtering content is 'probably' constitutional up to the age of 13 but that there are difficulties beyond this age. There is also a feeling that, while the more extreme behaviour detailed above could clearly be called 'disruptive' and entitle a librarian to ask the user to leave the library, simply viewing offensive images or text would be a different matter. Such issues are not directly applicable to Britain as the law stands at present, however it remains to be seen what bearing Labour's plans for a Freedom of Information Bill will have. Further information can be found at the sites of the American Library Association, the Citizens Internet Empowerment Coalition and Austin Public Library & Cyber Patrol. |
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