CptS 401, Spring, 2011 2/17/2011

Chapter 3.4-3.6: Freedom of Speech II

See Dilbert cartoons about freedom of speech:http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2005-10-02/

http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/1992-01-12/

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CptS 401, Spring, 2011 2/17/2011

Question 1According to the book, the emergence of the Web as a political tool raises the following question(s) with respect to its use for contributions to a political campaign:A. Is linking to a candidate’s Web considered a campaign

contribution?B. How much is a link to a candidate’s Web site worth?C. How can those who link to a candidate’s Web site know that

they have reached their legal contribution limit and must take the link down?

D. All of the aboveE. None of the above

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Question 1 Answer

D. All of the above

See second to last paragraph on p. 176

Why would anyone care how much a web link is worth politically?

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Question 2

The main goal of the McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 was toA. restrict the use of soft money and to restrict so-

called “issue ads.”B. ease restrictions on political campaign contributions.C. modernize campaign finance laws by adapting them

for the Internet.D. All of the aboveE. None of the above

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Question 2 Answer

A. restrict the use of soft money and to restrict so-called “issue ads.”

See p. 176.

Why was the McCain-Feingold act passed? What problem was it trying to address?

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Question 3

In 2006, the FEC issued the following ruling regarding how the McCain-Feingold Act (MCA) applies to the Internet: A. MCA regulations do not apply to Web content at all.B. MCA regulations apply only to content placed on

the Web by uncompensated individuals. C. MCA regulations apply only to content placed on

the Web for a fee.D. None of the above

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Question 3 Answer

C. MCA regulations apply only to content placed on the Web for a fee.

"The FEC decided that campaign regulation would cover content (e.g., ads) placed on a Web site for a fee. Online campaign activity by individuals who are not compensated are exempt from the contribution and expenditure regulations" (pp. 178-179).

Why was the FEC asked to create rules for applying the MCA to the internet?

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Question 4

Anonymizer.com provides tools and services toA. obtain a new identity.B. send e-mail and surf the web anonymously.C. secretly spy on people visiting your Website.D. create an anonymous avatar.E. None of the above

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Question 4 Answer

B. send e-mail and surf the web anonymously.

See bottom of p. 180.

Why would you want to do this?

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CptS 401, Spring, 2011 2/17/2011

Question 5

It is legal in the U.S. for individuals who are not compensated by a political campaign to post political speech anonymously on the Web.A. TrueB. False

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Question 5 Answer

A. True

See p. 182

The Supreme Court has repeatedly thrown out laws against anonymous political speech on the grounds that “anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority.”

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CptS 401, Spring, 2011 2/17/2011

Question 6

The following is true of individuals who anonymously post comments on the Internet:A. They may abide by a less stringent code of ethics, and

are exempt from some defamation laws.B. They are exempt from ordinary ethics and defamation

laws.C. They are subject to the same code of ethics and

defamation laws as those who post comments non-anonymously.

D. None of the above

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Question 6 Answer

C. They are subject to the same code of ethics and defamation laws as those who post comments non-anonymously

See p. 183

Unfortunately, sometimes individuals get into trouble when they are shielded by anonymity…

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Question 7

The practice of filing a lawsuit to stifle criticism by intimidation and high legal expenses is known asA. FLACKB. SWAPPC. STACKD. SLAPPE. None of the above

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Question 7 Answer

D. SLAPP

“The general tactic [of] filing a lawsuit to stifle critcism by intimidation and high legal expenses is not new to the Internet. It already had a name: SLAPP, a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation." (pp. 183-184).

Courts have been generally resistant to issuing subpoenas in SLAPP lawsuits. “A federal judge ruled…that Internet postings are ‘full of hyperbole, invective,…and language not generally found in fact-based documents’” (p. 184)

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CptS 401, Spring, 2011 2/17/2011

Question 8According to the book, the following issue(s) is (are) central to the idea of “Net neutrality”:A. Whether companies that provide communications networks should

be allowed to restrict or give special treatment to content transmitted through its lines.

B. Whether companies that provide communications networks should be allowed to take a stance on controversial political issues.

C. Whether companies that provide communications networks should be allowed to provide content providers with different levels of speed and priority for different prices.

D. More than one of the aboveE. None of the above

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Question 8 Answer

C. More than one of the above (A and C)

A and C are listed in the third paragraph of p. 187.

Why is the Time-Warner “turboboost” package (~$50/month) not a violation of net neutrality?

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Question 9

According to the book, a key argument in favor of Net neutrality is that:A. Net neutrality will give telecommunications companies

increased incentive to invest in broadband capacity.B. Not having net neutrality will erode the diversity of the

Internet and give telecommunications companies too much power

C. Net neutrality is in accordance with a free market view of government.

D. None of the above

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Question 9 Answer

B.

"Supporters of neutral pricing fear that lack of pricing regulation will erode the diversity of the Internet....Some argue that flexible pricing will give telecommunications companies too much power over content on the Internet" (p. 188, second paragraph).

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Question 10

According to the book, a key argument against Net neutrality is that: A. It will slow the advance of high-speed Internet

infrastructure.B. It will impose gatekeepers on the Net that

control its content, thus giving those gatekeepers too much power.

C. It will threaten free speech online.D. None of the above

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Question 10 Answer

A.

“Opponents of net neutrality argue that neutrality regulations will slow the advance of high-speed internet connection and improvements in infrastructure" (p. 188, third paragraph).

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Discussion Exercise:Net Neutrality

We’ll listen to a recent story on Net Neutrality that aired on NPR’s Technology Podcast on 8/18/2010. We’ll then engage in a debate on neutrality.

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Discussion Exercise Question (Anonymous Clicker)

Are you in favor of, or do you oppose, Net Neutrality?

A. In favor of Net NeutralityB. Oppose Net NeutralityC. Don’t know (yet)

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Group Discussion Exercise

• In your group, brainstorm arguments for and against Net Neutrality for 10 minutes. A group spokesperson should be prepared to make a convincing statement on either side of the debate.

• I will randomly pick two groups to come up for a mock trial, juried by the class.

• If picked, your group will be given up to three minutes for an opening statement, and up to three minutes for cross-examination and closing statement

• We will re-vote after the debate.

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CptS 401, Spring, 2011 2/17/2011

Discussion Exercise Question (Anonymous Clicker)

Are you in favor of, or do you oppose, Net Neutrality?

A. In favor of Net NeutralityB. Oppose Net NeutralityC. Don’t know (yet)

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