Internet ban on 'child porn' album sleeve

Britain's rules on internet censorship have come under scrutiny following a decision to block pages on Wikipedia after a page on the site showing the image of a naked young girl on an album cover from 1976 was declared "potentially illegal".

The online encyclopedia was placed on a blacklist by British internet providers over the weekend, because of the Wikipedia page discussing the album Virgin Killer by German rock group the Scorpions. ... Full Story »

Posted by Glenn LaBauve
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Subjects: World, Media
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Posted by: Posted by Glenn LaBauve - Dec 9, 2008 - 9:31 AM PST
Edit Lock: This story can be edited
Edited by: Kaizar Campwala - Dec 11, 2008 - 4:46 PM PST
Derek Hawkins
2.3
by Derek Hawkins - Dec. 12, 2008

Written poorly by a reporter who clearly doesn't have a grasp of the issue. Lead is wordy and confusing. Passive voice -- I can't tell who made this 'decision' and why until late in the story. This information should be clear up front.

See Full Review » (11 answers)
Tshiung Han See
2.0
by Tshiung Han See - Dec. 12, 2008

You get a little context on the IWF, an organisation I'm unfamiliar with. I would have liked a broader scope on internet censorship in Britain. Judging by the way it's written, I'd say the article is merely get the issue out.

The system run by the IWF, which is a self-regulated organisation, is used by most of Britain’s ISPs to screen out illegal content. The ... More »

See Full Review » (13 answers)
Kaizar Campwala
2.8
by Kaizar Campwala - Dec. 12, 2008

This is a badly written news article. You have to get to the bottom to understand that the censorship is totally independent of the British government.

See Full Review » (12 answers)
Marius Chitosca
2.2
by Marius Chitosca - Dec. 9, 2008

A rather unidirectional article that describes shortly the IWF decision for the reason of "potential illegality." The ending Open Rights Group is not very context-anchor. It's like the writer speaks to a reader already familiar with certain realities. As an outsider, you can't say if it's neutral, pro or against. Lack of fluency and clear bottom line.

Wikipedia stirring validity questions is not a new story, given its fluid, unconventional format -- though pretty regulated. And the problem of art being immoral or not is yet another ancient pain in the back. If you blame Wikipedia, why not blame also Scorpions -- metaphorical head of the snake, the concept artist, the record label, the distributors and the retailers?

See Full Review » (7 answers)
Glenn LaBauve
4.0
by Glenn LaBauve - Dec. 12, 2008

When "citizens'" groups are allowed to do govermental work over reaction seems to be the norm not the exception.

A fascinating case which sheds light on the debate about freedom of speech on the internet More »

See Full Review » (12 answers)
Peter L. Combs
2.6
by Peter L. Combs - Dec. 12, 2008

Not much to look through....

See Full Review » (11 answers)

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