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Focus (Forum & Focus)

Nov. 19, 2007

Protection of Anonymous Free Speech: Good for Government, Bad for Media

Forum Column - By Peter Scheer - Although the Constitution's protection of anonymous speech on the Internet is a necessary safeguard for dissenting opinions, media's use of the protection to insulate irresponsible commentators is misguided.

FORUM COLUMN

By Peter Scheer

      A Chinese blogger, defying a government censorship decree, publishes information about the crash of a military transport plane. Another blogger, an Egyptian, posts photos of the scarred body of a teenager who was tortured by Egyptian police.
      Both bloggers are anonymous.
      No one can doubt these speakers' need to hide their ...

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