The fight against online censorship continues. Time after time internet censorship has been struck down as unconstitutional. Much praise and support for this seemingly endless battle is deserved by the American_Civil_Liberties_Union (ACLU) http://www.aclu.org/ along with other anti-censorship organizations like The National_Coalition_Against_Censorship at http://www.ncac.org/ and Feminists_For_Free_Expression http://www.ffeusa.org/
Here’s a bit of the background on the last decade or so of the repeated BAD FAITH attempts of authoritarian prudes and bigots to censor free expression including nudity despite the Supreme Court decisions noted below holding that the censorship violated the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. This will also be posted as a comment. Hopefully there will be more articles on this blog to follow. What will it take to get the “gatekeepers” to stop censoring us? Why can’t liberty be respected for its own sake? When is Congress going to pass some laws that put teeth in the Bill of Rights and support free expression instead of trying to chisel away at it or look the other way? Here are some of the articles and decisions which affirm the right of free expression (including nudity). So what have your experiences been with censorship?
ACLU_Defends_Free_Speech_On_Line
http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/internet/onlinefreespeech.html
SUPREME COURT Refuses To Revive Online Censorship Law (01/21/2009)
ACLU wins 10-Year Battle To Protect Free Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vNwEfOrbbo
http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/internet/38428prs20090121.html
ACLU VICTORIOUS IN DEFENSE OF ONLINE FREE SPEECH
ACLU v.Gonzales: Joan Walsh of salon.com victorious, 2007
COURT RULES THAT GOVERNMENT MAY NOT CENSOR THE INTERNET
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: Ashcroft v. ACLU in 2004, United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group in 2000, RENO v. ACLU in 1997 http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/ashcroft-v-aclu
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Ashcroft, Attorney General v. American Civil Liberties Union et al.
Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
No. 03-218. Argued March 2,2004 - Decided June 29, 2004
The Supreme Court held that the Third Circuit was correct to affirm the District Court’s ruling that enforcement of COPA should be enjoined because the statute likely violates the First Amendment.
Ashcroft v. ACLU Amended Complaint For Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
http://www.aclu.org/images/asset_upload_file246_24202.pdf
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
United States et al. v. Playboy Entertainment Group, Inc., (98-1682) 529 U.S. 803 (2000)
30 F. Supp. 2d 702, affirmed
Argued November 30, 1999-Decided May 22, 2000
Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Delaware
The Supreme Court Ruled that the District Court did not err in holding the Telecommunications Act of 1996 violative of the First Amendment.
http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/98-1682.ZS.html
Supreme Court Rules: Cyberspace Will be Free! ACLU Hails Victory in internet Censorship Challenge (06/26/1997)
the Supreme Court ruled in Reno v. ACLU that the Federal Communications Decency Act is an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.
Counsel for the plaintiffs: Ann Beeson, Esq., ACLU Associate Legal Director
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Syllabus
RENO, Attorney General of the United States, et al, v. American Civil Liberties Union et al.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
No. 96-511 Argued March 19, 1997 — Decided June 26, 1997
929 F. Supp. 824, affirmed.
The Supreme Court Held that The Communications Decency Act’s “indecent transmission” and “patently offensive display” provisions abridge “the freedom of speech” protected by the First Amemndment. Pp. 17-40
http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/96-511.ZS.html
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