Friday, March 2, 2012

Consensus Grows on Rules to Battle Internet Porn

WASHINGTON A consensus is forming among lawmakers, businesses andcivil liberties advocates over how to craft legislation that wouldcrack down on people who transmit sexually explicit material on theInternet.

Backers of the proposed compromise are hoping to block effortsby religious conservatives to impose even broader restrictions onwhat gets carried over computer networks in the United States.

Rep. Rick White (R-Wash.), who represents a district thatincludes Microsoft Corp., is attempting to find middle ground asHouse and Senate negotiators iron out agreements on a largertelecommunications reform bill.

"This is a major breakthrough," said Sen. James Exon (D-Neb.),sponsor of the original Senate amendment that would impose criminalfines of up to $100,000 and prison sentences on those who knowinglytransmit material deemed obscene, lewd or indecent.

Exon said he is studying White's proposal, which would retaincriminal penalties called for in the Exon amendment. But White wantsto abandon Exon's proposed legal standard, based on broadcastinglaw's indecency statutes in place of language that would prohibitmaterial that is deemed "harmful to minors." White contends thatapproach already is accepted in 48 states as a tool for enforcementagainst publishers of pornography.

White said he is making headway securing support from businessand public interest groups.

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