From: multics@acm.rpi.edu (Multics)
Subject: NJ channel 9, BBS registration, and adult material
Organization: The Voice of Fate
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 12:21:53 GMT


I found the following article on one of the BBS's I access in the Albany,
NY area.  It seems that this is the appropriate place on usenet to post
it.  I believe that it is of general interest, unless its old/obsolete/etc.

Its a little difficult, but I can forward email to the bbsI use 
(Friends and Lovers), I am not a member of MINAS MORGUL.

From MINAS MORGUL BBS 
****************************************************************************
    I have only had a quick glance at the below information, but it COULD
be a serious threat to the BBS community at large. The information is
presented in its (largely) unedit form (I DID take out the part identifiers
as they didn't seem neccessary. The original is available for viewing on the
TELCOM ISSUES base on Minas Morgul.
****************************************************************************
 
 
    I'm sure many of you have downloaded an X-Rated .GIF here and there,
right?  I'll bet most of you who do download these aren't even of age yet
either. Well, one kid's mother (Dan) found these files on his computer one
night, and to say the least, she got quite pissed.  His mother took this to
the news and they were all interviewed about pornography on computers, and
their availability to underage users.  The report was on the air a couple
nights ago on Ch. 9 in New Jersey in an I-Team Report, and once again 2 days
later at noon.  It was also on CNN.  Several people were interviewed about
this including Nancy Clawson with the National Coalition against
pornography.
 
    She stated, "Its really serious in the fact that there's no control over
it.  At least with some softporn like Penthouse, and Playboy, children can't
get their hands on it, or their hands on anything else because at least its
kepts behind a counter.
 
    Most boards do ask questions, and usuall demand information to verify
your age, and legally that's probably enough required by the SysOp.  But
what's to keep a kid from lying about their age?
 
    "Its very difficult to hold someone responsible if they make reasonable
efforts to prevent access" says Setan Hall Professor, James Boskey.
 
    While the I-Team was interviewing Dan at his home, they logged on a
board as a newuser and gained access to the adult files.  They tried to call
the SysOp but he was unlisted so they went to his house.
 
    The SysOp (whose name shall not be mentioned) believes he shouldn't have
to impose any access restrictions.  "I figure its up to the parents to
control what the kids do, and what they can't do."
 
    Andy Anderson, a popular religious talk show host on WMCA Radio, has
done a lot of talk shows on pornography, and computer pornography is a new
one to him.  "I never, any hint that such a thing is available to a child
and by just making a telephone call have such solacious material appear
before their eyes for as long as they wish to choose, as long as they wish 
to look at it is shocking.
 
    Dan's mother asked "Why doesn't the government regulate any of this?"
 
    When Congressman Matthew Renaldo, whose the ranking republican (figures)
of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee, was asked he said he never
heard about the issue until Ch. 9 brought it to his attention.  He says
there are already federal laws on the books covering computer porn.  "Since
telecommunications use telephone lines, the FCC tell me that all of the
common carrier restrictions that apply to obscene voice message's could also
apply to interstate computer transmissions."
 
    "You can certainly ban that material in the sales context, but its not
all clear you can ban it on voluntary communications and usually on the
computer situation because we are not talking about payment."  -- James
Boskey
 
    Now correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most kids learn about the human
body while in school?  Not only from sex education, but from their peers?
Why should adult files be regulated when most kids learn from their peers?
 
    Most adult boards a conscience about screening out children.  If its
adult material kids want, its alot easier getting magazines or on cable TV.
 
Writer's Notes:  Most of the information in the article was taken from the
Ch.  9 broadcast.  I was asked to write this but wasn't given enough time to
gather more information.  To my knowledge, the Senate is trying to pass a
bill that will require all BBS's to register with the federal gov't. If that
does happen, the phone companies will find out whose running a board and
whose not and can add charges to your phone bill for such purposes.  I'm
sure no one wants to pay any more than they already are.  I'm already paying
$200+ a month.  I don't want to see any more fees than I already have.
 
    I talked to Dan today to find out exactly what happened.  Everything in
here is pretty much accurate although VERY biased.  Dan gave me a direct 
quote to put in this article: "My mom sold me out.  I had no say in what I 
did"
 
    Dan's mother called up Sabbath's father and told him that Sabbath and I
were threatning threatning to kill her son, torture her pets, and rape her
daughter.  First of all, I've never talked to Dan until tonight.  I've never
talked to her daughter.  The only way I know Dan is through messages.  I
didn't even know he had a sister.
 
    I called her and told her that the conversation is being recorded.  She
then procedes to bitch and yell at me about my threats.  I try to tell her
that I didn't write them and I don't have a clue as to what she is talking
about.  Eventually she hung up on me so I never got to say anything.
 
    I contacted another friend about this whole matter on Ch. 9 and how
neither of us liked it because of how biased it was.  Somehow it has turned
to the question of if our 1st amendment rights are being broken, as well as
harrassment for the phone call made to Sabbath's father.  Another SysOp, a
new reporter, someone else (I think a reporter as well), and myself are
starting a non-profit organization called "The First Amendment".
 
    Dan's mother is a free-lance reporter for Ch. 9.  In the whole I-Team
report, they failed to mention that which is misrepresentation.  A couple
other things have been going on but happened so fast I'm still not sure of
what actions we are taking.  I do know however that if we don't do this, all
BBSers, SysOps, or anyone will be losing their freedom of speech and we
won't let that happen. The next article was written by one of the reporters
I mentioned above.  Please sign and return the petition at the end of this
report to the address below.  Thank you.
 
The First Amendment
ATTN: BBS
298 Shelburne Place
Belle Mead, NJ 08502
 
Virus (Ryan Golhar, Network Coordinator of FireNet)
 
 
From a real reporter
 
    For those of you who were not watching the yellow journalism hack job
done by WWOR/Channel 9 tonight on their 10:00 news, there is a big to-do
about the availability of  "adult" materials (GIFs and messages)  on BBSs.
One woman out in New Jersey is so riled up over the fact that her 
13-year-old son got GIFs of nude women that she wrote bagfuls of letters to 
various NJ officials --and apparently, she contacted the quote-unquote 
"journalists" over at WWOR to spread the word about how BBSs are supposedly 
corrupting the minds of our youth.
 
    Now the National Coalition Against Pornography is involved, their
spokes- woman Nancy Clausen having spoken quite vehemently on WWOR,  and CNN
is plann- ing to do stories on it this coming weekend.  The other major
networks, doubtless, will follow, as this is a story about sex, and illicit
sex at that (at least in their eyes)--good for ratings.
 
    I speak as a former journalist, and I can say the job WWOR did on this
story was nothing short of a hatchet job.  It was a pure journalistic
abortion.  They did not even begin to represent the adult BBS community in
anything vaguely resembling a fair light.  There was only one Sysop
interviewed, and he was one who runs a board which has unrestricted access
to adult material.  His only concrete comment on this was that the parents
should monitor their children's actions--and the same Sysop is alleged to
own shares in three porn theatres in Times Square.  He's going to be easy to
discredit.
 
    Be forewarned, Sysops, Sigops, and users.  Be vigilant about new users.
Watch anyone new who calls up for adult access.  I have heard of some boards
in Jersey who ask you to fax proof of age before gaining access... and
perhaps they are wise.  Be careful.  We're in for some bad times.
 
    I'd advise everyone to download this and the following post, and upload
them to EVERY BBS you call.    We as a community have to stick together in
this.  This is another case where our First Amendment rights could become
further abridged than they are already... and God in all his\her myriad
forms knows this is something we cannot accept.
 
    For those who feel like writing letters, the following names may come in
handy:
 
  Paul Rosenberg, Producer of the news story featured tonight on WWOR
 
  Al White, Reporter on this story for WWOR
 
  Horatio Jennings, Editor on this story for WWOR
 
  Rep. Matthew Renaldo, the leading Republican in Congress on FCC regulations
 
  Roone Arledge, President, ABC News
 
  Senator Alfonse D'Amato (R-NY)
 
  Senator Daniel Moynihan (D-NY)
 
  Rep. Steven Solarz (D-NY)
 
  I wish I could think of more off the top of my head, but I am writing this
in a rather hasty fashion in order to upload it as quickly as humanly
possible.  Don't sit back and let your rights be taken from you.  You have
the right to fight for what you believe, and this is a fight we can't afford
to lose if we want to continue as we are.  Lori L. Bloomer (alias "Kali",
Sigop, /Curevent, After Hours BBS, 718-882-0833)  Serdar Yegulalp (alias
"Corrosion", also of After Hours, as well as various boards around New
Jersey.)
 
 
ATTENTION
ALL BBS USERS:
 
     There is pressure now on the Federal government to regulate the BBS
community. This would mean that the private-enterprise nature of BBSs
would be threatened. BBS systems would have to register with and be
monitored by the Federal government, and the contents of the systems
would be strictly controlled.
 
     We must prevent this from happening. Please make as many copies of 
this document as you need, and sign the area below. Send the form to your 
congressman, senator, or other government repersentative. Collect signatures 
from other concerned BBS users, and make yourselves heard.                   
Your First Amendment rights are about to be infringed upon. Don't let the 
government take the words out of your mouth.
 
 
 
 
Dear _____________________:
 
     I / we, the undersigned, do hereby protest all proposed regulation of 
electronic bulletin board systems, hereafter referred to as "BBSs". Such 
regulation would constitute a violation of my Constitutional right to free 
speech, freedom of thought, and freedom of expression, especially amongst 
those who tend to exercise such rights so fervently. Please do not allow the 
passage of such legislation, and oppose its existence or proposal wherever 
you can.
 
     I / we, the undersigned, is / are an enthusiastic BBS user and I / we
do not wish to have a very potent and democratic form of speech to be
curtailed. I / we will continue to oppose all governmental action that
threatens the First Amendment in any of its myriad forms, of which the BBS
community is a lively and potent one.
 
     Thank you.
 
 
Echo Cavern [GSA7/1ASV7]
WWIVNet 1@29824
Fire Net 1@29800
1v241.2211a Modified 
Belle Mead, NJ 
Auto
SysOp Validation1!
-- 
Richard Shetron  multics%acm.rpi.edu@rpi.edu  multics@hermes.acm.rpi.edu
What is the Meaning of Life?      There is no meaning,
It's just a consequence of complex carbon based chemistry; don't worry about it
The Super 76, "Free Aspirin and Tender Sympathy", Las Vegas Strip.
Xref: sparky alt.bbs:5601 comp.bbs.misc:833