Night Shift Backs Free Speech Issues
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NIGHT SHIFT BACKS FREE SPEECH ISSUES
September, 1985
BBS explorers who want to express their support for unrestricted online
data communication might want to check out the Night Shift Bulletin Board in
New York. The system's files section contains a sample letter you can use to
express your opinions to your U.S. Senator or Representative.
Here's a portion of the letter:
"As a user of a personal computer for telecommunications, and as a
member of the new `electronic community,' I wish to strongly protest the
current proposals for laws regulating electronic Bulletin Board Systems.
"Recent negative publicity about a few such systems being used to
spread illegal long-distance access codes and stolen credit card numbers has
cast public doubt on our hobby. It is time that the record is set straight.
"Electronic BBSes are the freest form of interpersonal communications
ever created. The people who use them do so as a way of sharing their
thoughts, ideas, and information on the rapidly changing computer technology.
"Also shared are thoughts and ideas about the world in general; many
systems have ongoing debates about National and world issues. Not since the
days of the American Revolution, when thoughts and ideas were first spread
around through pamphlets and flyers, has such a system of rapid communication
been developed.
"The vast majority of BBSes and their users are honest people, who use
this new technology in their work and as a hobby. We should not be punished for
the illegal actions the few misguided people about whom there has been so much
publicity.
"I therefore recommend that before any laws restricting the use of
BBSes are passed, input is received from the operators and users of these
systems. Representation of our interests in promoting the freedom of speech we
exercise on the BBSes is the answer to reactionary laws.
The section also includes an essay from a West Coast bulletin board
fan, report on the arrest of Los Angeles sysop Tom Tcimpidis, a piece on "BBS
Etiquette" and the text of an ethics statement adopted by the New York Sysops'
Association.
According to the statement, NYSA members agree not to ban messages
about pirating and trading commercial software; downloading pirated software,
or the sharing of illegal phone access codes for "phreaking."
Member boards "promote, respect, and support the free and uncensored
sharing of information, opinions, ideas, and communication." But sysops say
they discourage any items "offensive to the users, either by way of language
or ethnic references."
The Night Shift was a Bread Board BBS system (TBBS) from the mid-80's. It is no longer in operation.
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