Wiesenthal Center Begins Letter Campaign
10 Jan 1996
THE SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER BEGAN a letter-writing campaign requesting
that Internet providers restrict access to groups or individuals who
present material which promotes racism, anti-Semitism, mayhem and/or
violence.
This decision has been challenged by both the Internet providers and various
civil libertarians. They argue that free and open debate is the way
to defeat hate.
According to Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Wiesenthal Center,
"[hate groups]...are able to dress up their message in a way that looks
... presentable.''
Several well-made web sites now available on the World-Wide-Web cause alarm
to the Simon Wiesenthal Center. These include: Aryan Nations, Skinheads
U.S.A. and The Aryan Crusader's Library.
Another site which has upset the Wiesenthal Center is that of Holocaust revisionist,
Ernst Zündel. Zündel
has commented on the attempt to curtail his views:
``The Internet is the first and last truly free marketplace of ideas,
for the time being. It levels the playing field. To curtail the
freedom for some will curtail the freedom for all.''
The Wiesenthal Center argues that the Internet providers themselves are publishers
who have a civic responsibility not to promote bigotry.
Adapted from: The Associated Press 01-10-96
|