For those of you interested in the debate about Internet and censorship

From "Online Today", Compuserve (Aug. 5)

  The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a rewrite of U.S.
telecommunications laws that includes an amendment to shield online
computer system operators from liability should they take steps to limit
objectionable content on the Internet.

  House acceptance of the proposal by Rep. Chris Cox, R-California, and
Ron Wyden, D-Oregon -- which also prohibits the FCC from setting decency
guidelines for cyberspace, leaving the computer industry and parents to
deal with the problem as they saw fit -- immediately drew praise from
online executives.

  "The online community is just coming into its own as a vast resource
for people around the world," said CompuServe President/CEO Robert
J. Massey. "By taking steps to empower parents and to encourage the
marketplace to address issues such as child safety online, Reps.
Christopher Cox and Ron Wyden, along with the U.S. House of Representatives,
have taken a leadership role in addressing challenging issues associated
with this emerging technology."

  Massey added the Cox-Wyden amendment "helps enable us to expand
the quality and character of our service. And, it allows us to continue to
deploy technologies that will empower parents -- without compromising
the rights of our members or being forced into the impossible task of
controlling or censoring content."

(...)

  The bill, which Ian Christopher McCaleb of United Press International
describes as "the most sweeping revision of U.S. communications law
since enactment of the Communications Act of 1934," passed the House
by a final vote of 305-117, more than enough to override a threatened
presidential veto.

  The measure is similar to a version the Senate passed in June, except
that the Senate proposal calls for regulation of content on the Internet.

(...)

  The bill, officially known as the Communications Act of 1995, aims to
deregulate
 local telephone and cable television service, while repealing certain broadcast

ownership restrictions.

  Reports from United Press International are accessible in CompuServe
NewsGrid database (GO NEWSGRID) and through the Executive News Service (GO ENS).
  --Charles Bowen