News
Internet porn ban enacted for Phoenix libraries
Published: Sep 10, 2004 - 06:02 PM
PHOENIX (AP) — A legal battle could be brewing after the City Council enacted a new policy that bars adults from unrestricted Internet access to pornography on Phoenix library computers. The council adopted the policy Wednesday.
It was prompted by last month's arrest of a child molester who told police that he had downloaded child pornography at the Phoenix Public Library.
Previous city regulations mandated that filters — which are designed to block obscene materials and Web pages by targeting key words, phrases or graphical images — remain turned on at all times in the libraries' children's areas and for patrons under the age of 17.
However, those rules allowed adult residents the option of disabling the filters.
But some First Amendment advocates say the filters the council is installing might mistakenly block Internet sites that deal with non-pornography issues such as breast cancer, AIDS research or sexual education.
Eleanor Eisenberg, executive director of the Arizona chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, predicted that the issue "will end up in the Supreme Court."
"We've heard from people who are concerned about this," Eisenberg added. "We have several possible plaintiffs."
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Vice Mayor Peggy Bilsten both said they're prepared for a legal battle.
"I am willing to take this to court," Bilsten said. "Too many times, we stop short of what we want to do because we are afraid of it going to court. I think this is a great case."
"I don't believe that in our library, which is designed to be family-friendly, we should be obliged to provide access to these materials," Gordon said. "If we are to be sued, then let the courts decide this case."
Contributing: Information from The Arizona Republic
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Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Previous city regulations mandated that filters — which are designed to block obscene materials and Web pages by targeting key words, phrases or graphical images — remain turned on at all times in the libraries' children's areas and for patrons under the age of 17.
However, those rules allowed adult residents the option of disabling the filters.
But some First Amendment advocates say the filters the council is installing might mistakenly block Internet sites that deal with non-pornography issues such as breast cancer, AIDS research or sexual education.
Eleanor Eisenberg, executive director of the Arizona chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, predicted that the issue "will end up in the Supreme Court."
"We've heard from people who are concerned about this," Eisenberg added. "We have several possible plaintiffs."
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Vice Mayor Peggy Bilsten both said they're prepared for a legal battle.
"I am willing to take this to court," Bilsten said. "Too many times, we stop short of what we want to do because we are afraid of it going to court. I think this is a great case."
"I don't believe that in our library, which is designed to be family-friendly, we should be obliged to provide access to these materials," Gordon said. "If we are to be sued, then let the courts decide this case."
Contributing: Information from The Arizona Republic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
