Full Item Text for 1995 Virginia Rezmireski on Electronic Access to Pornography:

women's studies program winter speaker series presents

DR. VIRGINIA REZMIERSKI

speaking on

ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO PORNOGRAPHY: BALANCING ACCESS RIGHTS AND PROTECTING AGAINST HARASSMENT

Friday, April 8

12:30 - 2:00

1092 University Mall

Is there a level of material that we might all agree to call obscene or pornographic? Is it important to determine these levels and, if so, where do we draw the boundaries? New information technology and our ability to create, store, access, transport, and alter information and images have dramatically increased the potential access and exposure to pornography. Sharing computers in public sites and shared use of printers and networks may force individuals to see information and images that they themselves have not accessed. While seeking to nurture a sense of "community," a university also needs to take responsibility for balancing the rights of access to information in order to protect individuals from exposure to offensive material. University policies may therefore be required to reinforce community civility and protect against harassment. This may mean simple protection of first amendment rights. Is it time to balance access rights in the electronic environment and, if so, what might we lose? Dr. Rezmierski, a policy development specialist in the office of the UM's Vice-Provost for Information Technology, will speak on these issues and problems. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.

Warning: Lecture incorporates sexually explicit materials.
Please post/announce.

SAO Approved
April 9 1995
J.P.