There are a number of well-intentioned people who shudder at the thought of passing any kind of legislation in this area. They are not bad people. I just do not think they fully understand, as I think I do, as I think nine out of 10 Americans do when they find out what is going on, on the information superhighway today … The worst, most vile, most perverse pornography is only a few click-click-clicks away from any child on the Internet … The fundamental purpose of the Communications Decency Act is to provide much-needed protection for children.
Predictor: Exon, James
Prediction, in context:In 1995 Sen. James Exon, D-Neb., proposed an amendment to the Telecommunications Act. This is an excerpt from Exon’s statement, which is included the Congressional Record report from June 9, 1995: ”What we are trying to do here is to … put into law some of the provisions that have been in existence for a long, long time, way back to 1934. To make sure the same restrictions that were necessary and have been placed into law and have been held constitutional time and time again by the courts, have a role to play in the new Internet system and how that Internet system reacts … I am very confident that this legislation will withstand a constitutional challenge … I have put out the hand of cooperation to all parties – even those most opposed to any action whatever in this area – and I find that there are a number of well-intentioned people who shudder at the thought of passing any kind of legislation in this area. They are not bad people. I just do not think they fully understand, as I think I do, as I think nine out of 10 Americans do when they find out what is going on, on the information superhighway today … The worst, most vile, most perverse pornography is only a few click-click-clicks away from any child on the Internet … The fundamental purpose of the Communications Decency Act is to provide much-needed protection for children.”
Biography:James Exon, a U.S. senator from Nebraska, was the author of the Communications Decency Act, passed by the U.S. Senate in 1995. The controversial legislation contained sweeping language barring “obscene,” “indecent” or “harassing” communications online or via phone or fax. (Legislator/Politician/Lawyer.)
Date of prediction: June 9, 1995
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Censorship/Free Speech
Name of publication: Congressional Record
Title, headline, chapter name: Communications Decency Act
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?r104:1:./temp/~r104Uzm12X:e46:
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney