Computer specialists said that the Internet's ability to bring ideas from out of the mainstream to a huge audience is one of the medium's greatest strengths. But a number of universities here are taking more limited steps. One issue the panel will explore when it convenes in September is whether to place a disclaimer on students' communications stipulating that the messages are not endorsed by the university. He noted that he has seen Internet communications among right-wing college students increase dramatically since the deadly 1993 federal siege at the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Tex. Specialists said that dealing with Internet hate speech first requires some philosophical examination.
Some people say the best way to deal with hate speech is to have more speech so it can be debated.
And the other side says you can't talk to these people because they are not open-minded enough to have a meaningful debate or that they shouldn't be tolerated because that kind of language spawns actions. The hateful use of college Internet accounts has produced unwitting victims. In April 1994, someone stole a University of Michigan student's computer account name and password to gain access to the Internet. A group purporting to be the Organization for Execution of Minorities posted a list of vicious threats against African Americans. The messages automatically included the student's electronic mail address.