[WEB4LIB] Re: Blocking web-based chat

[Floyd Ingram]

How is this censorship?  Chat and e-mail are functions.  Prohibiting the use
of those functions is a policy like saying "no wearing of hats" in the
building or "no eating in the library."  Prohibiting one from seeing obscene
materials is censorship...there is a difference.  Gee, some of us are surely
standing up for a wild-opened and chaotic society while the rest of us are
trying to maintain some law, order, morals and sanity!

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Floyd Ingram
Columbia, South Carolina
Fax: (801) 327-3914 Home
E-mail: <mailto:fingram at mindspring.com>
Homepage: <http://fingram.home.mindspring.com>
"Relax... Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday."
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>-----Original Message-----
>From: web4lib at webjunction.org
>[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Christopher Jackson
>Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 12:15 PM
>To: Multiple recipients of list
>Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Blocking web-based chat
>
>
>
>
>On Wed, 24 Nov 1999, Drew, Bill wrote:
>
>> Before calling blocking of chat sites censorship, check on the
>definition of
>> censor:
>>
>> "to examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered
>> objectionable"
>
>How can using a blacklist of mail/chat URL's to deny access not be
>considered censorship?  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.  That's censorship.  It may be
>justifiable. It may be laudable.  It's still censorship.
>
>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.
>
>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.  If you must censor, do so.  But do it
>honestly, deliberately, and carefully.
>
>    Christopher Jackson                    cjackson at monroe.lib.in.us
>    Reference/Automation Librarian         voice: (812) 876-1272
>    Monroe County Public Library           fax: (812) 876-2515
>    Ellettsville, IN  47429                http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/
>
>>
>> This is not what the topic is about.  Please be careful when
>using such hot
>> button words.  Filtering is censorship.  The blocking of chat or e-mail
>> sites is not.
>>
>> -----
>> Wilfred (Bill) Drew
>> Associate Librarian, Systems and Reference
>> SUNY Morrisville College Library
>> drewwe at morrisville.edu
>> Home: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe
>> Not Just Cows: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/njc/
>> Library: http://www.morrisville.edu/library/
>>
>
>