The EFF and their opinions on the following issues

Here I will assess how the Electronic Frontier Foundation would feel about the follwing ideas/images/texts.



1. Richard Dawkins- The God Delusion (Book)

Althought the EFF mostly concentrates on the techonological side of media they are likely to still hold an opinion on the freedom of speech issues linked with Dawkins' book. The EFF believe that everyone is entitled to give an opinion and anyone should be able to access this opinion. Therefore, the EFF would fight for The God Delusion to be published in order that the audeince can read it.

2. Just Say No: Ad Campaign

The EFF would be for the advert concerned with safe sex. An example of a case which the EFF defended in court link well with this. A graduate student from the University of California set up a free website with the purpose of informing its audience about safer sex. However, the student was concerned about adding links to outside organisations on the website because of laws within computer networking. The EFF protected the student in court because of it believed that the student should have the right to inform others of the issues linked with the topics he was discussing.

ttp://www.safersex.org/.

3. Opium-YvesSaintLaurent: advert

Not really relevant to the EFF, but they would probably be for the advert as Yves Saint Laurent should be allowed to express their opinion.

4. Image of starving child

The EFF would not ban this image as they would feel that the audience has a right to view it and express their own opinion based on the content.



5. Short Bus: Film

The EFF would probably allow this film to be released as they believe audeinces should be given the authority to view such media if they want to. However, there may be some controversy about where the film should be shown and the EFF may agree that the film should be a ired at a suitable time of day/channel (If on American TV)
Short Bus was actually aired in England on Film 4 just before Chr istmas.

6. NHS- HIV aware: advert

The EFF would allow this advert to be released witht the same principles as the Just Say No advert.

7. Airing the Han ging of Saddam Hussein.
The problem with this film is that it would be impossible to regulate but the question lies whether the EFF would support the film being shown on YouTube/Television. I think that the EFF would feel that if somebody wants to view the footage then they should be abl e too...however, perhaps not on Television.



8. Myra Hindley: Artist Impression (made up of images of children)

The EFF would probably not get involved with the politics behind this piece of art as it is just a n expression of someones opinion and t he company are positive about that.

9. photography

freedom of expression as with 8.

10. Imogen's private tape.
This tape was released by imogen's ex boyfriend, and although the EFF would probably not get involved in this sort of case they are likely to protect Imogen in these circumstances.



11. Manhunt 2: game on Wii

The game manhut has set up a lot of controversial debate regarding the extreme violence within the game. The problem with the Wii version is that the player will actually have to imitate the actions of the character within the game in order to win. The EFF would probably protect the game as the player should be given the freedom to decide whether they play or not. Plus, they game is certifcate 18 and therfore anyone over this age should be liable for their own actions/ moral decisions regarding viloence and such issues.

12. Jerry Springer: The Opera

The EFF would protect the freedom of speech of the director and agree that the audeince should be entitled to cast their own opinions on the show.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

The EFF, founded in The United States in 1990 believe in an ever changing technological world.

When consumers freedom within the ‘networked’ world are attacked the EFF are the first to defend it. The company has continued to “confront cutting-edge issues defending free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights today.”

The EFF includes the work of lawyers, policy analysts, activists and technologists and achieves significant victories for their customers. It can provide funds or legal defence in court as well as defend individuals and new technologies themselves from mis directed legal threats within the digital industries.

Example:

Cable Companies Ratchet Up Restrictions

Hollywood and US Cable providers are trying to put restrictions on TiVo (The equivilant of British Sky Plus) which means TiVo audiences will face 'digital rights managment.' The policies would effect users of High Definiton and cable TV and could mean that audiences will not be able to watch any digital cable signals unless they 'subscribe' or buy the cable companies CableCARD and could mean setting 'awful restrictions' on consumers viewing.

Sony BMG

By including a flawed and overreaching computer program in millions of music CDs sold to the public, Sony BMG has created serious security, privacy and consumer protection problems that have damaged music lovers everywhere.
First4Internet's Extended Copy Protection (also known as XCP) as been placed on over 20 million Sony BMG CD's and once installed can decrease the performance of the consumers computers and will open new security vulnerabilities. It installs itself even if you press 'no' and is very difficult to uninstall.
People who have been effected by XCP can claim a settlement from Sony BMG and there is a list on the EFF website showing many of the CDs carrying the program.