Many of us are justifiably concerned about the accessibility of obscene and indecent materials online and the ability of parents to monitor and control the materials to which their children are exposed. But government regulation of the content of all computer and telephone communications, even private communications, in violation of the First Amendment is not the answer … Heavy-handed efforts by the government to regulate obscenity on interactive information services will only stifle the free flow of information, discourage the robust development of new information services, and make users avoid using the system
Predictor: Leahy, Patrick
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 congressional press release, the comments made by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) in introducing the User Empowerment and Free Expression in Interactive Media Study Bill include the following: ”I rise today to introduce a bill calling for a study by the Department of Justice, in consultation with the Department of Commerce, on how we can empower parents and users of interactive telecommunications systems, such as the Internet, to control the material transmitted to them over those systems. We must find ways to do this that do not invite invasions of privacy, lead to censorship of private online communications and undercut important constitutional protections … Many of us are justifiably concerned about the accessibility of obscene and indecent materials online and the ability of parents to monitor and control the materials to which their children are exposed. But government regulation of the content of all computer and telephone communications, even private communications, in violation of the First Amendment is not the answer – it is merely a knee-jerk response. Heavy-handed efforts by the government to regulate obscenity on interactive information services will only stifle the free flow of information, discourage the robust development of new information services, and make users avoid using the system … Let’s see what this study reveals before we start legislating in ways that could severly damage electronic communications systems, sweep away important constitutional rights and undercut law-enforcement at the same time.”
Biography:Patrick Leahy was a U.S. Senate member who played an important role in Congressional discussions of the Internet in the 1990s. (Legislator/Politician/Lawyer.)
Date of prediction: April 7, 1995
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Pornography
Name of publication: Congressional Press Releases
Title, headline, chapter name: Empowerment, Free Expression, in Interactive Media Study Bill
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=13093a844cd5f13a986cc03f90646600&_docnum=22&wchp=dGLbVzz-lSlzV&_md5=ba1747fb993f474b1c37c8e9b4b04e90
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Little, Brandi W.