Free Speech Filtering and Ratings News Filter Bans Bible, Constitution in Utah. The Censorware project released a new report on March 25, 1999 on Censored Internet Access in Utah Schools and Libraries (PDF format) finding that the SmartFilter software banned a wide variety of pages including the Holy Bible, U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, anti-drug information, all of Shakespeare's plays, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and the Koran. GILC Documents GILC Issues Statement on Filtering, Ratings Systems. GILC released a statement on the "Impact of Self-Regulation and Filtering on Human Rights to Freedom of Expression" to the OECD on 25 March 1998, in Paris. The statement discusses to role of ISPs, anonymity, self-regulation and freedom of expression. GILC comments to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) opposing the proposed adoption of PICSRules 1.1 on the grounds that they will provide a tool for widespread global censorship, December 15, 1997. Reports and Resources American Civil Liberties Union, Fahrenheit 451.2: Is Cyberspace Burning? -- How Rating and Blocking Proposals May Torch Free Speech on the Internet , September 1997. Association des utilisateurs d'Internet (AUI), Manifeste pour l'autorégulation de l'Internet en France, 9 juillet 1997 [FR] Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, Filtering FAQ The Censorware Project, Blacklisted by Cyber Patrol: From Ada to Yoyo, December 1997. The Censorware Project report examined a list of 6,000 sites banned by Cyber Patrol and found many instances of pages inappropriately blocked. Cyber-Rights & Cyber-Liberties (UK), Who Watches the Watchmen: Internet Content Rating Systems, and privatised censorship, November 11, 1997. Cyber-Rights & Cyber-Liberties (UK) Report: "Who Watches the Watchmen: Part II - Accountability & Effective Self-Regulation in the Information Age," September 1998. Irene Graham, The Net Labeling Delusion Electronic Frontier Foundation, Public Interest Principles for Online Filtration, Ratings and Labelling Systems, Feb 28, 1997. Electronic Privacy Information Center, Faulty Filters: How Content Filters Block Access to Kid-Friendly Information on the Internet, December 1997. The European Commission released an "Action Plan on promoting safe use of the Internet " on November 26, 1997 calling for self-regulation, filtering and ratings. [EN] [DE] [FR]. Press Release [EN] Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Access Denied: The Impact of Internet Filtering Software on the Lesbian and Gay Community, December 2, 1997. Imaginons un Réseau Internet Solidaire (IRIS), Étiquetage et filtrage: possibilités, dangers, et perspectives, Octobre 1997 [FR] Other Resources Censorware.org search engine. See if your site is banned by the major censorware programs. Peacefire pages on Cybersitter, Cyber Patrol, Net Nanny, BESS Jacking in from the "Your Agenda is Showing" Port, CyberWire Dispatch, December 20, 1996. Is Cybersitter Taking a Naughty Peek?,Wired News, July 1, 1997. Internet Free Expression Alliance. Return to GILC Free Speech Page