The House State Affairs Committee got hung up when Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, objected to a clause in a bill from Rep. Steve Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, that sought to outlaw Internet harassment, because it listed “MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, Twitter” along with personal blogs. Labrador asked if there was “a technical term or a term of art” that could be used, rather than listing commercial names. Hartgen responded with a stab: “Internet posting sites?” But as the committee moved along, Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, jumped in, saying, “They’re called social networking sites”/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Unequivocal Notion reaction

Question: Hartgen, of course, is the former publisher of the Twin Falls Times-News. Do you consider his legislation targetting Internet harassment necessary? Or would it have a chilling effect on Internet freedom?