Should We Police Cyberspace? . We Need To Bring The Laws Into The 21st Century And Give People Protection
The Communications Decency Act, first and foremost, gives computer users the same protections that exist for telephone users. S.314 simply updates our obscenity, indecency and harassment laws to include new technologies.
Anyone who has been the target of an obscene phone call recognizes how frightening and intimidating that experience can be. Without the kind of protections provided by this legislation, these antagonists are handed a new tool to carry out their malicious acts. Obscene and harassing messages on a computer are just as frightening and as real as those over a telephone, and they should be subject to the same laws.
Parents also deserve some assurance that when they provide their children with a valuable education tool, their children won’t innocently come across pornography as they’re trying to learn geography.
Current laws do not provide protections against obscene materials being made readily available over new electronic highways. We can’t throw up our hands, say the First Amendment has tied them, and subject our children to pornography and obscenity on our information highways.
I have heard from many, many people, however, who raise legitimate concerns about certain provisions of S.314. I am taking their input seriously and am working for the changes they want to see.
Some worry that this legislation would force carriers to monitor and police the Internet. That’s not the case. The legislation does not make innocent “carriers” of electronic messages liable for inappropriate messages, and it won’t require system operators to eavesdrop on electronic messages. To do so would be the equivalent of holding mail carriers liable for a package of obscene materials they delivered.
Sen. James Exon and I are continuing to work with various industry groups and representatives to clarify the language in the bill. Our goal is not to intrude on people’s privacy, but to ensure that they are safe from constant harassment.
I am confident that this bill can be fine-tuned to address the legitimate concerns raised by the industry and system users. I do not want to impose any new duties, regulations or requirements on people who aren’t abusing the system.
Like many of you, I also use and enjoy the Internet.
People across the state have helped me a great deal in giving suggestions and developing constructive changes to S. 314. I look forward to additional input from Spokesman-Review readers on this subject.
xxxx Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash., is co-sponsor of S.314, the Communications Decency Act. His address is 730 Hart Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-4701. His e-mail address is Senator_Gorton@gorton.senate.gov.
For opposing view see headline: Should we police Cyberspace?; Byline:James Levendosky.