Chapter 5: Freedom of Expression

Vignette

1. Does sexting represent a form of expression that is protected by the First Amendment?

Yes, for me sexting represent a form of expression that should be protected under the first amendment because sexting is an expression which is not allowable everywhere. Some victims of this are those people who are still young and fun of entertaining unknown person or stalkers and also teenagers who are not aware of the things around them.

2. What can be done to protect people from the dangers of sexting while still safeguarding our First Amendment rights?  

For me we ourselves only can protect us from danger of sexting, and first thing to be done is to  avoid entertaining those people who are the sexting master or founder by not replying to the text spam that what they have sent to you.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EEF)

Discussion Questions: 

1. Visit the EEF Web site at www.eff.org and develop a list of its current “hot” issues.  Research one EFF issue that interests you, and write a brief paper summarizing EFF’s position.  Discuss whether you support this position and why.

Coders' Rights Project

EFF's Coders' Rights Project protects programmers and developers engaged in cutting-edge exploration of technology. Security and encryption researchers help build a safer future for all of us using digital technologies, but too many legitimate researchers face serious legal challenges that prevent or inhibit their work. These challenges come from laws such as the Convention on Cybercrime, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, similar state laws, and computer crime laws in many countries around the world.

The Coders' Rights Project builds on EFF's longstanding work protecting researchers through education, legal defense, amicus briefs, and involvement in the community with the goal of promoting innovation and safeguarding the rights of curious tinkerers and hackers on the digital frontier. We also provide policy advice to decision-making officials who are considering new computer crime legislation and treaties.

For me I support this position because first of all I am an Information Technology student and I understand the situation of those people who are involve or part of the coders rights stated at the top. I may not a good coder/programmer but still I have the heart of an IT student and still they should respect our rights as an programmer and a solution provider. I believe being a coder provides and give good ambiance in our world in terms of technology.

2. What reasons might a firm give for joining and supporting EFF?

Honestly I am not active or being attentive in this kind of aspect like for example joining and supporting EFF, but I think the main reason why they propose people for joining and support EFF is to support each other for our freedom or shall I say for our freedom of expressions. We all know not all personal problems/expressions can be heard, entertained and in order to be heard and entertained by other we should support and help each other for the sake of our rights.

3. The vice president of public affairs for your midsized telecommunications equipment company has suggested that the firm donate $10,000 in equipment and services to EFF and become a corporate sponsor.  The CFO has asked if you, the CIO, support this action.  What would you say?

I think I am not at the right place to answer this question, but still if I have given a chance I will support this action because it can help a lot.