The proposal’s intent is to limit dissemination of pornography and other potentially offensive material over the Internet, which has an estimated 10 million or more users.
Predictor: Exon, James
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 article in The Seattle Times, reporter Paul Andrews shares reactions to the Communications Decency Act. Andrews writes: ”Igniting the outcry is last week’s 17-16 House conference subcommittee vote to impose $100,000 fines and prison terms on individuals who knowingly distribute or post electronically ‘indecent’ material. Net supporters fear the indecency reference contained in the legislation could invoke a Federal Communications Commission broadcast standard that includes the ‘seven dirty words’ made famous by a George Carlin comedy routine and the text of literary classics such as ‘Catcher in the Rye’ and ‘Ulysses,’ and nude artwork, rap lyrics and other material. ‘The proposal’s intent is to limit dissemination of pornography and other potentially offensive material over the Internet, which has an estimated 10 million or more users,’ [wrote the bill’s author] Sen. James Exon, D-Neb.”
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: December 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Pornography
Name of publication: Seattle Times
Title, headline, chapter name: Will Censorship Muffle Internet?
Quote Type: Paraphrase
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=b2a7108a4ff67317508ab7004eee60cf&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVlz-lSlAl&_md5=7efcd28e70beb72b134999f8ca3aeb91
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney