On December 14, 2017 the FCC voted to repeal the net neutrality rules adopted by the FCC on February 26, 2015. The repeal goes into effect 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. When the 539 page repeal order was released on January 4, 2018 it was not known when it would be published in the Federal Register. The repeal is being…

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, speaking at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, called for an open Internet which would make sure that ISPs had economic incentives to build better networks while still protecting consumers and innovators. His specific recommendations were shared with the other members of the FCC in February. One of…

As a result of the rapid increase in technological development and the widespread use of computer-based communication and information sharing via the internet, regulation relating to child protection has become a serious issue of concern. This concern is shared across many countries around the world, including those in Africa. But the issue of…

Incorrect access to Web site addresses and spam e-mails are continuing to make pornography rampant on the Internet at schools, homes and libraries. Collectively, parents, teachers and members of communities must become more aware of the risks and consequences of open access to the Internet, and the distinction between censorship and Internet…

Professional education is increasingly facing accessibility challenges with the emergence of webbased learning. This paper summarizes related U.S. legislation, standards, guidelines, and validation tools to make web-based learning accessible for all potential learners. We also present lessons learned during the implementation of web accessibility…

School Districts are required to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) mandating they monitor how students are using the Internet. Although elementary school students need to be supervised, blocking technologies are inappropriate for teen-agers. Secondary school students need to know about safe communication skills and have a…

Presents a literature review considering the role of media in value making, a brief report of how the discussion of pornography has been played out in the court system, and looks at rhetoric and the political voice. Examines findings from the downloaded transcripts of Supreme Court hearing of the ACLU versus Reno case. Considers implications to…

This paper discusses the importance of intellectual freedom for libraries, librarians, and library associations. Examples of attempts at censorship in Australia are presented, including the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Act, 1999, legislation that requires filtering of Internet content. The IFLA (International Federation of…

This paper discusses the legal obligations owed by librarians to the users of their facilities, focusing on the viewing of pornography on the Internet in the public library. The meanings commonly ascribed to the word censorship are presented. Australian federal law that governs the classification of films, videos, computer games, and publications…

The Internet remains as a wonder for the 21st century and its growth is phenomenon. According to a recent survey, the online population is now about 500 million globally and if this trend continues, it should reach 700 million by the end of 2002. This exponential growth of the Internet has given rise to several security, privacy and ethical…

This paper discusses copyright issues for educators. The Fair Use Doctrine is described, focusing on the following points that must be evaluated before determining Fair Use: (1) purpose and character of work; (2) nature of the copyrighted work; (3) amount and substantiality; and (4) effect upon potential market. Other topics covered include…

This paper presents the results of a survey on national bibliographies among the members of the Conference of Directors of National Libraries in 2001. The survey is a follow up of a 1996 survey on bibliographic control and national bibliography. All parts of the world are represented by 52 responses. The main findings of the survey are that legal…

The September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States have contributed greatly to a change in the information environment around the world. The weeks following the attacks saw governments around the world rush to pass legislation designed to prevent future acts of terrorism. Much of this legislation targeted information flow, especially on the…

Web sites today should meet Web accessibility guidelines to comply with a host of regulations and guidelines for people with disabilities. Recent estimates state that 20% of the U.S. population has a disability and that 10% of the on-line population is disabled. Our aging population also experiences similar issues. This session will help you…

In the wake of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, discussions have raged both online and in the press about free speech, online pornography, and the protection of children. This paper discusses the legal and social science issues surrounding content regulation of the World Wide Web and the Internet as a whole, with an emphasis on the…