IP: Netly News on Florida censorware lawsuit, CNET poll

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

*****




http://cgi.pathfinder.com/netly/opinion/0,1042,1860,00.html


The Netly News
March 30, 1998


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       We know that if governments install so-called "censorware" in a
   school or public library, they run the risk of a First Amendment
   lawsuit. But filing a lawsuit for not installing content filters? Jodi
   and Paul Hoffman, a Florida couple active in R.A.M.P. (Restore
   America's Moral Pride), have done just that.


        In their suit against the Broward County School Board, the
   parents charge that the school district provides sex ed and unfiltered
   Internet access. The parents claim that they have "a fundamental right
   to control, guide and inculcate (their) children in the area of moral
   standards, religious beliefs and elements of good citizenship." Jodi
   Hoffman tells us that Pat Robertson's American Center for Law and
   Justice is about to join the lawsuit.


         *  *  *


        One of the top laws the Net needs, apparently, is NO ANONYMOUS
   VOTING. At least, that's the way it's shaping up at CNET's "Ten Laws
   the Net Needs" poll. Lance Cottrell and Mark Hedges, who run
   anonymizer.com -- which allows folks to surf the Web anonymously --
   tell us that when you use their service and attempt to vote at CNET,
   you can't. Instead, the following message comes up: "BECAUSE I FELT
   LIKE IT." Try it yourself if you don't believe us.


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