[WEB4LIB] Re: Blocking web-based chat

[Dan Lester]

At 09:15 AM 11/24/99 -0800, Christopher Jackson wrote:
>How can using a blacklist of mail/chat URL's to deny access not be
>considered censorship?

I promise not to post on the censorship angle again.  That being said, 
let's think about it.

If a library has a policy prohibiting yelling in the library, or using cell 
phones in the library, is that censorship?  If the library doesn't provide 
word processors, is that censorship?  Any of those are prohibiting specific 
means of communication in the library.  If those things are censorship to 
you, than there's no point in continuing this.

>  You've decided to offer access to the World Wide
>Web, but then deny access to certain "examined" addresses because their
>functionality is considered objectionable.

Is it censorship if the prohibition is done via signs on the machines 
stating the forbidden behavior?  What if the signs are followed up with  a 
staff member wandering around enforcing the policy when a violator is 
noted?  If those are censorship, again this is a pointless discussion.

>   That's censorship.  It may be
>justifiable. It may be laudable.  It's still censorship.

q.v. supra

>I'm sure we can quibble about the semantics of the word forever.  But in
>keeping abreast of these issues, I notice that nearly all censors claim,
>"What we're doing is not censorship."  I think it would be more helpful to
>own up to it and justify it.

As noted, I'm not going to continue a semantic discussion on this list.

>Certain categories of speech are not appropriate in certain
>settings--e.g., yelling "fire" in a theater, and "chatting" on scarce PC's
>designated for research purposes.

The old "fire in a theater" <roasted> chestnut isn't particularly useful or 
relevant here.  One is a public safety issue.  The other is a resource 
allocation issue.

>   If you must censor, do so.  But do it
>honestly, deliberately, and carefully.

Whatever you choose to call it, that's up to you.  But don't expect many 
people to get all excited about your definition.  I've yet to hear of the 
ACLU fighting in court for the right to "yell 'fire' in a crowded theater."

cheers

dan

--
Good, Fast, and Cheap: Which two of the three would you like?
Dan Lester, 3577 East Pecan, Boise, ID 83716 USA 208-383-0165
dan at 84.com   http://www.84.com/  http://www.postcard.org/