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Supreme Court Backs Net Filters For Libraries

In a 6 to 3 decision (56 pages, pdf) released today in United States v. American Library Association (02-361), the Supreme Court ruled that the Children’s Internet Protection Act does not violate the First Amendment, and Congress can thereby require the use of Internet filters by public libraries receiving federal funds.
See also:

  • My related postings on this case here and here.
  • This June 23 press release from the American Library Association (ALA), ALA denounces the Supreme Court ruling on Children’s Internet Protection Act.
  • ACLU Disappointed in Ruling on Internet Censorship in Libraries, But Sees Limited Impact for Adults
  • An April 1, 2003 article from Library Journal (registration req’d), Supreme Court Justices Appear Highly Divided in CIPA Case, that provides quotes from the March 5 oral arguments.
  • and

  • The Court and the University, by Ronald Dworkin, from the May 15, 2003 New York Review of Books.
  • Many libraries will skip grants to avoid using Net filters
  • New York Times Editorial, Internet Filters and Free Speech
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