From: kadie@cs.uiuc.edu (Carl M. Kadie)
Subject: [alt.censorship]  Re: I've just been repremanded by net.big.brother
Followup-To: alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk,alt.censorship
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 21:16:42 GMT

[A repost - Carl]

Newsgroups: alt.censorship
From: dave@bradley.bradley.edu (David Vessell)
Subject:  Re: I've just been repremanded by net.big.brother
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 92 19:29:41 GMT

awells@lynx.dac.northeastern.edu (Andrew V. Wells) writes:

>I just received this scolding from a net official at my
>university:
>>Andy,
>>	It has come to my attention that a number of complaints have
>>been posted and mailed to Northeastern relative the the content of some
>>recent postings to the internet from your account. While neither DAC or
>>the University have any intention of restricting free speech, there are
>>standards for reasonable conduct. Obscenities and name calling reflect
>>badly on this University especially in a world wide forum. In the
>>future, please refrain from using such offensive language; it
>>contributes nothing to any kind of discussion. 
>
>Doesn't this constitute a subtle form of censorship? 

I realize the risks of taking this subject on in alt.censorship, but....

I don't think it's censorship.  They could have just turned off your
account or (like here) revoked your ability to post articles to the net,
and that would have been censorship.  All I see is a polite request that
you police yourself.  Had they said "or else..." on the end or threatened
punitive measures, then that would be closer to censorship.

Freedom of speech in your forum is really a privilege, as is the case at
most private universities that grant their students net access, including
Bradley (though it goes without saying that if a university says it upholds
free speech, it's in its own best interest to do so in practice).  However,
every article you post has Northeastern University attached to it.  It's
more of a free press issue than a free speech issue; the university owns
the 'press' (the computer used to access the net) and therefore enjoys
editorial powers over its 'contributors'.


>                                   The scary thing is that
>the real powerhouses behind all of this are not just people
>like tipper gore, but ultra-right wing fanatic religous
>fronts with Orwellian names such as the "American Family 
>Association."

I agree completely, but I'm afraid your only real defense of your actions
is philosophical.  If you want absolute free speech on the net, it's
entirely possible for you to buy a PC, install Unix on it, install a news
reader on it, and arrange a net connection.  Otherwise, all you can do is
talk your university into agreeing with your philosophy.

-- 
 davE.   Making the world safe for intelligent dance music.  dave@bradley.edu.
########## David L. Vessell -- Bradley University Computing Services #########
  "I generally don't sing along with people who tie me up." - Robin Williams
-- 
Carl Kadie -- I do not represent any organization; this is just me.
 = kadie@cs.uiuc.edu =
Newsgroups: alt.comp.acad-freedom.talk,alt.censorship,isu.cc.general,isu.talk.usenet-policy