d3ac0n - Slashdot User

Submission + - Digital 'Fair Use' Bill Introduced In Congress

Submitted by

d3ac0n

on Wednesday February 28, 2007 @04:11PM

d3ac0n writes: "From the Washington Post: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/02/di gital_fair_use_bill_introduc.html

Today, Reps. Rich Boucher (D-Va.) and John Dolittle (R-Calif.) introduced what they call the "Freedom and Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship" (or FAIR USE) Act they say will make it easier for digital media consumers to use the content they buy.
A refreshing bipartisan effort to return Fair Use to it's rightful place as the law of the land. (for media content, anyway)"

Submission + - Democrat Party Threatens Censorship

Submitted by

d3ac0n

on Friday September 08, 2006 @11:34AM

d3ac0n writes: "As seen various places online, the Democrat Party heads have written a letter to ABC containing a thinly veiled threat to revoke thier broadcast license if they air the controvertial "The Road to 9/11" miniseries this week.

From the letter:
The Communications Act of 1934 provides your network with a free broadcast license predicated on the fundamental understanding of your principle obligation to act as a trustee of the public airwaves in serving the public interest....
We urge you, after full consideration of the facts, to uphold your responsibilities as a respected member of American society and as a beneficiary of the free use of the public airwaves to cancel this factually inaccurate and deeply misguided program.

While not specifically stating that thier license would be revoked, the obvious threat is that it would be should they air a program which is purported to place much of the blame for 9/11 squarely in the lap of the Clinton Administration and the Democrat party.

Regardless of political affiliation, this type of chilling behavior should alarm any free-speech minded slashdotters. If any political party is allowed to get away with censoring speech, particularly politically-relevant speech, how long is it before free speech is a relic of the past in the United States and the world?"

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