I learned form ALA’s Young Adult Library Services Association blog that “In Virginia this week, the governor signed a law requiring all public libraries to filter “offensive material;” only adults conducting research can have the filters unblocked.” This seems to be pretty much in accordance what we learned about the how the Supreme Court held CIPA’s similar rules constitutional in 2003. I think that this ruling went through the Virginia legislation because of politics and not because the need for additional rules. It was pushed through a conservative group who believed that with this law they can provide stronger protection of children. As the linked article says:
The legislation, which passed the House 85–12 and the Senate 31–9, was supported by the conservative Family Foundation of Virginia, which has been calling for such a measure since 2004, the Roanoke Times reported March 23.
This entry is part of my Intellectual Freedom series.