Accord reached for limiting smut on the Internet: compromise at capitol: curbs' opponents give ground to a relentless campaign for bill requiring them

Article Abstract:

A coalition of commercial on-line services and several civil liberties groups accept restrictions on sexual material on the Internet as a new compromise is issued. The telecommunications bill containing the restrictions is before a House-Senate conference committee, which will debate a measure that calls for fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment of those who wittingly send pornography or 'filthy,' 'lewd' or 'indecent' material over the Internet. The compromise measure would still impose prison sentences and fines, but it calls for prosecution only in cases of material considered 'harmful to children,' a narrower category than previously under consideration. The compromise measure would also protect on-line services that made a sincere effort to prevent children from accessing pornography. Some on-line service providers already allow parents to prevent access to certain areas on the Internet.

Pornography, United States. Congress, Censorship, Censorship issue

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Senate raises computer smut debate

Article Abstract:

The US Senate has approved an amendment to its telecommunications legislation that will punish users who post indecent and lurid materials on the Internet with fines and prison time. The Senate voted 84 to 16 to include a provision that outlaws everything from child pornography to profanity. Legal analysts say that the legislation could be unconstitutional because it infringes upon the user's right to free speech. Officials at the Dept of Justice say that the law would be very difficult to enforce and although the department's comments on the law have been very neutral, it is looking for a measure that is not only constitutional but also enforceable. Many Senators voted for the amendment knowing that a vote against the measure would be seen as supporting child pornography and obscenity on the Internet.

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Senate supports severe penalties on computer smut; fines and prison terms; 84-to-16 vote on amendment to telecommunications bill - free speech is issue

Article Abstract:

The US Senate approved an amendment to pending telecommunications legislation that would severely penalize computer users who post sexually explicit material on computer online services or the Internet. The Senate voted 84 to 16 in favor of the legislation after a debate that included discussions of child pornography and bestiality. The opponents of the measure are concerned that it will violate Constitutional rights to free speech. The amendment originally included cable companies and would have imposed prison terms on operators who transmitted indecent material. This clause was eliminated at the last minute in negotiations. The amendment to punish illegal activity on the Internet would impose fines as high as $100,000 and prison terms as high as two years.

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