The prediction, in brief:

Even with such a law, youths would have no problem finding pornography on foreign computers linked to the Internet and not governed by U.S. laws. And its critics say ironies would abound if the proposal becomes a law: Commonplace passages in books, magazines and printed materials could become unlawful if distributed on the Net. Electronically transmitted transcriptions of spoken conversation or rock music or Rubens’ paintings could be prosecutable. Sex education and AIDS literature might be suspect.

Predictor: Andrews, Paul

Prediction, in context:

In a 1995 article in The Seattle Times, reporter Paul Andrews shares reactions to the Communications Decency Act. Andrews writes:”Even with such a law, youths would have no problem finding pornography on foreign computers linked to the Internet and not governed by U.S. laws. And its critics say ironies would abound if the proposal becomes a law: Commonplace passages in books, magazines and printed materials could become unlawful if distributed on the Net. Electronically transmitted transcriptions of spoken conversation or rock music or Rubens’ paintings could be prosecutable. Sex education and AIDS literature might be suspect. A newspaper or magazine could find itself in the position of being unable to electronically display the same text it prints. On the other hand, supporters of the legislation say the law would not lead to the kinds of prohibitions critics say it will. ‘No serious literary or artistic works would be banned by the indecency law,’ the Family Research Council said on its Web site.”

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