IP: Getting the Facts Out - Announcing "FACT SQUAD"

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

{ I am a member of the PFIR Board djf}

>                 Getting the Facts Out - Announcing "FACT SQUAD"
>
>                                September 6, 2001
>
>                     http://www.pfir.org/factsquad-announce
>
>
> Greetings.  Immediately following the recent People For Internet
> Responsibility "Future of the Internet" Workshop, technology columnist
> Dan Gillmor reported on the event within his widely-read column.
>
> He especially noted one of the key points of agreement at the meeting --
> there's a serious need for coordinated information sources and experts to
> counter the often skewed information provided by lobbyists and other vested
> interests relating to technology issues.  As it stands, it's usually those
> well-heeled interests who have successfully organized, for their own
> betterment, to provide information about technical matters to media,
> politicians, and many others.
>
> Dan used the term "fact squad" to describe the need for a coordinated effort
> to provide some balance in these matters.
>
> PFIR has now set up a structure that we hope can provide assistance in
> filling this fact gap.  We've created "Fact Squad" -- its home page,
> which describes the project in more detail, is at:
>
>    http://www.factsquad.org
>
> Fact Squad is oriented specifically towards folks who need straightforward,
> direct, and largely "jargon-free" information about these topics.  It is a
> coordinated resource for media, researchers, or anyone else -- cutting
> through the hype and getting to the facts.
>
> Fact Squad by itself obviously cannot be the complete solution to the
> long-festering and worsening problems of manipulated information and
> propaganda relating to technical issues and their impact on society.
> But we think it's potentially an important step in the right direction.
>
> In addition to the Fact Squad home page listed above, three new contact
> e-mail addresses have been established relating to this effort:
>
>  - Questions or information about specific topics or issues:
>
>       facts () factsquad org
>
>  - General inquiries:
>
>       general () factsquad org
>
>  - Information about participating in Fact Squad:
>
>       participate () factsquad org
>
>
> We look forward to your questions, comments, and participation.
>
> Thanks very much.
>
>
> Lauren Weinstein
> lauren () pfir org or lauren () vortex com or lauren () privacyforum org
> Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
> Co-Founder, PFIR - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
> Moderator, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
> Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
>
> Peter G. Neumann
> neumann () pfir org or neumann () csl sri com or neumann () risks org
> Tel: +1 (650) 859-2375
> Co-Founder, PFIR - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
> Moderator, RISKS Forum - http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks
> Chairman, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
> http://www.csl.sri.com/neumann



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