March 19, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Jonathan Tasini, President, 212/254-0279
Robert Chatelle, Political Issues Co-Chair,
kyp@ultranet.com
Statement of the National Writers Union
On August 5, 1995, before Congress passed the
unconstitutional Communications Decency Act, the Delegates
of the National Writers Union -- without a dissenting vote -
- passed a resolution supporting free speech and privacy in
cyberspace. We stated that:
- We oppose any and all federal, state, or local
legislation that restricts or penalizes the content of
communication among consenting parties...Electronic
communication should have no less protection than print or
any other form of speech.
- We assert that censoring information about sexuality
both violates the right to free expression and exacerbates
serious social problems, such as AIDS and other sexually
transmitted diseases, unwanted teen pregnancies, misogyny,
and prejudice against sexual minorities.
- We affirm the free-expression rights of minors,
including their right to obtain information about sex and
sexual identity. We also recognize the rights of parents
and legal guardians to limit information access by their
children, especially when those children are very young.
Parents and children should decide among themselves what
literature, art, entertainment, or information is
appropriate without state or third-party intervention.
- We assert that internet-access and online-service
providers that do not censor their subscribers' posts should
be treated as common carriers free of liability if illegal
material is transmitted via their systems.
By our constitution, "The National Writers Union is
committed to freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and
freedom of expression in all media, including print, film,
and electronic media of any sort." Among writers
organizations, we were the first to recognize the power and
promise of electronic communication.
For the first time in history a truly free marketplace of
ideas is possible. Such freedom poses a threat to existing
power strongholds -- oppressive governments and the
international corporations that control print and broadcast
media. We are not surprised that every government in the
world, including our own, strives to limit what we can say
in cyberspace.
Fortunately, as Americans we have the protection of the
First Amendment, and have recourse when elected officials
infringe fundamental inalienable rights. The National
Writers Union is proud to be a plaintiff in this historic
suit to preserve our freedom.
The National Writers Union represents 4,500 freelance
writers nationwide. We are journalists, book authors,
poets, writers of short fiction, business and technical
writers, academics, cartoonists, and workers in all genres.
Our membership comprises some of the most distinguished
names in American letters. We abhor the abuse of both state
and corporate power to crush freedom of expression