U.S. SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS INTERNET FILTERS

WASHINGTON, November 14, 2002 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to rule later this year on whether libraries can be required to use filtering software to screen sexually explicit websites from computers accessible to children in exchange for federal funding. However, one of the most common filter systems has the effect of screening out information on pro-life and anti-pornography groups.  A lower court ruled last May that tying federal funding to such an obligation would violate the institutions’ free speech and called for “less intrusive” means to protect children such as parental consent for Internet use.  The Bush administration appealed the lower court ruling. It is now hoped that the Children’s Internet Protection Act, Congress’ third attempt in five years to protect minors from Internet porn on publicly-funded computer terminals such as those found in libraries.  The case is U.S. vs. American Library Association, 02-361.  For sfgate coverage see:  https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/a/2002/11/13/MN50363.DTL