EFC

CDA HotList

Three judges of the U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania decided on June 12th, 1996 that certain provisions of the American Communications Decency Act (CDA) which prohibit `indecency' on the Internet are an unconstitutional infringement of the right to free speech. They issued a preliminary injunction preventing the U.S. Attorney General from ``enforcing, prosecuting, investigating, or reviewing any matter premised upon'' those sections of the Communications Decency Act.

The U.S. government appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. Both sides in the case have submitted written briefs, and oral arguments were presented the morning of Wednesday, March 19th, 1997. A decision is expected by July.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), along with numerous other like-minded organizations, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), are optimistic the lower court decision will be upheld, ... and the CDA struck down, once and for all.

Electronic Frontier Canada (EFC) has gathered together a list of web sites that we encourage you to visit to learn more about what's at stake, and if you're interested, to follow the case on a daily basis as it unfolds.

Now matter what the outcome, this case is sure to have repercussions around the world. It's the first free speech case for the 21st century.

Organizations

ACLU - http://www.aclu.org
The ACLU is the lead organization battling against the CDA. Read their legal briefs online.
CIEC - http://www.ciec.org
The Citizens Internet Empowerment Coalition is a large and diverse group who support free speech on the Net, and who oppose the CDA. They'll be following the case.
EPIC - http://www.epic.org
The Electronic Privacy Information Center also has a CDA page that will be updated with the latest news.
VTW - http://www.vtw.org/speech/
The Voters Telecommunications Watch (VTW) also has a CDA page that will be updated frequently.

News/Media

HotWired - http://www.hotwired.com/special/indecent/
HotWired followed the first court battle, and will likely follow the current one.
Newslinx - http://www.newslinx.com
Net-news headlines, with links to full stories. If it's reported in the U.S. press, and it's online, it'll be listed here. One-stop-shopping.
CNN - http://www.cnn.com
The Cable News Network (CNN) is sure to report on the case.

Countdown to Supreme Court If you have a web page, you can join the increasing number of web sites that are drawing attention to this important court battle by displaying the GIF images shown here. Reno v. ACLU: The CDA on Trial

Instructions:

The CIEC "GIF" campaign
1. Add a link to the CIEC site by cutting and pasting the following html:
<a href="http://www.aclu.org/issues/cyber/trial/appeal.html">
<img src="http://www.aclu.org/graphics/aclucda.gif"
alt="Reno v. ACLU: The CDA on Trial" border=0></a>
2. Tell the CIEC you are participating. Send e-mail to: [email protected] They're keeping a running tally of the number of participating sites.

The ACLU "GIF" campaign
1. Add a link to the ACLU site by cutting and pasting the following html:
<a href="http://www.ciec.org"*gt;
<img src="http://www.ciec.org/images/countdown.gif"
alt="Countdown to Supreme Court"></a>
2. Tell the ACLU you are participating. Send e-mail to: [email protected] They're keeping a list of of participating sites.

EFC