This movement has granted censors the right to pick at the Internet as they please. Unfortunately for society, this act was passed by "an admittedly Net-illiterate Congress" (Quittner).
The problems with the Internet and censorship are caused mainly by the pornographic sites. Parents do not want their children to see smut. To prevent this, many believe that these sites should not be allowed on the Internet. In a society where a photo of a nude, pregnant Demi Moore on the cover of a major magazine is considered acceptable to be seen by millions, it is hard to believe that some of the pictures on the Internet remain unacceptable. Censorship has now found an unwelcome home along the information superhighway. Instead of destroying every site that may appear offensive to some, society needs to look more at preventative measures to stop the viewing of sites by young children and teenagers. This would allow for viewing of these sites by a more mature audience.
"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press" (First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution). Democracy is based on the idea that only when people are free to express their views openly can they govern themselves effectively (Bender). By not allowing the posting of questionable sites, the Congress is in direct violation of the First Amendment. This violation is seen in the decision to overturn the Communications Decency Act (CDA). Judge Stewart Dalzell, a member of the panel called to review the CDA, feels, "As the most participatory form of mass speech yet developed, the Internet deserves the highest protection from governmental intrusion." Those who disagree with the judges' decision to overturn the CDA believe that the First Amendment doesn't cover obscenity and ideas that may offend them. These people must realize that the First Amendment grants the right to voice any opinion, but, at the same time, no one has to listen.
