American Buddhist Net

The First Amendment--free speech--applies to the internet 100% as much as to traditional forms of media--print, film, art, etc. The internet is different from other forms of mass communication because it is easier for non-corporate groups and individuals to participate. Lawmakers who long for a return of the day of exclusive corporate control of the news have been very much exercised about the rise of the internet because it completely undermines their ability to dictate "the message" heard by American users of the internet. Last year, they tried to pass HR 1955, "The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007," but so far have failed because too many people realize that the bill is a disaster for free speech. So, they are trying again. Look for the usual techniques--obfuscation, redefinition, steady encroachment, fear, "studies," one-sided reasoning, secrecy, and more. Don't be fooled for one second. ABN
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Friday 30 May 2008
by: Matt Renner, t r u t h o u t | Report

A controversial plan to study and profile domestic terrorism was scrapped after popular push back, however, the spirit of the legislation lives on in Senator Joe Lieberman's office.

...According to civil liberties activists, Chairman Lieberman has been spearheading an effort to censor speech on the Internet. His committee recently released a report titled "Violent Islamist Extremism, The Internet, And The Home Grown Terrorism Threat," (PDF) a report detailing the use of web sites and Internet tools to spread pro-terrorism propaganda.

LINK TO ORIGINAL

Joe Lieberman, Would-Be Censor

Comcast Is Hiring an Internet Snoop for the Feds