Air Force Blocks Access to Many Blogs

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[LyricFox]

Air Force Blocks Access to Many Blogs

The Air Force is tightening restrictions on which blogs its troops can read, cutting off access to just about any independent site with the word "blog" in its web address. It's the latest move in a larger struggle within the military over the value -- and hazards -- of the sites.  At least one senior Air Force official calls the squeeze so "utterly stupid, it makes me want to scream."

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/02/air-force-banni.html

[RandallS]

At least one senior Air Force official calls the squeeze so "utterly stupid, it makes me want to scream."

There are major constitutional issues here -- especially in an election year.

[Kasmira]

Air Force Blocks Access to Many Blogs

*looks for a head exploding in anger emoticon* These folks didn't sign away their rights as human beings by joining the military, yes they let go of some of their freedoms but be serious!

[sailor_tech]

There are major constitutional issues here -- especially in an election year.

You sure?  I though employers had the right to manage their networks, including blocking sites for employees.

Of interest, about 5 years back, 10% of the Pentagon's total band width was being consumed going to Nascar.com

I'm agreeing it's a stupid move, but not sure what constitional issues are raised by it.

[RandallS]

You sure?  I though employers had the right to manage their networks, including blocking sites for employees.

This assumes that the employer is not the government and the only access available to the employee. The issue is banning access to news -- except to approved by the government sites produced by organizations that met the government's standards. That is government censorship of the news available to military members in combat zones -- and that is likely a violation of the First Amendment.  Personally, I think the officials (whether civilian or military) responsible for this should spend the rest of therir lives as human mine detectors.

Of interest, about 5 years back, 10% of the Pentagon's total band width was being consumed going to Nascar.com

There's a big difference between blocking access to entertainment and blocking access to news and political opinion.

[sailor_tech]

This assumes that the employer is not the government and the only access available to the employee. The issue is banning access to news -- except to approved by the government sites produced by organizations that met the government's standards. That is government censorship of the news available to military members in combat zones -- and that is likely a violation of the First Amendment.  Personally, I think the officials (whether civilian or military) responsible for this should spend the rest of therir lives as human mine detectors.

This policy is not just for war zones.  It's all Air Force base offices, which are Mostly not in combat zones.  It also doesn't affect base housing where people pay for their own internet access.

It's also not clear that it applies to the war zone out of office internet cafes.  I don't think those are run by the service NOCs.  Those are, if I remember the ones in Japan and such, are run by HMR.  So, military personnel Do have unfilter access to sights, but just not while in their office.  They have to be off duty and out of their office.

[RandallS]

So, military personnel Do have unfilter access to sights, but just not while in their office.  They have to be off duty and out of their office.

Even if so, that's still government censorship of the news.  If military personnel don't need access to news while on the job, block all news/commentary sites. Only allowing "approved by the government" news sources is still government censorship.

[LyricFox]

Even if so, that's still government censorship of the news.  If military personnel don't need access to news while on the job, block all news/commentary sites. Only allowing "approved by the government" news sources is still government censorship.

That's where I'm standing on this. Giving some sort of approval stamp for news sites is censorship. I don't like it at all.

[sailor_tech]

Even if so, that's still government censorship of the news.  If military personnel don't need access to news while on the job, block all news/commentary sites. Only allowing "approved by the government" news sources is still government censorship.

Take a closer look. It's blogs of any kind that are blocked, not news sites.  Wether it's the New York Times or Pravda / Izvestia, actual news media sites (that do not have the word blog) are accessiable.  The NYT blog isn't accesiable because of the word blog.

Govt approvale of the specific news site it's being granted or blocked.

[RandallS]

Take a closer look. It's blogs of any kind that are blocked, not news sites.  Wether it's the New York Times or Pravda / Izvestia, actual news media sites (that do not have the word blog) are accessiable.  The NYT blog isn't accesiable because of the word blog.

Many blogs ARE news and editorial sites. Many aren't, but the government is still censoring news -- the criteria may be stupid and perhaps not even intended to have that effect, but that doesn't change the fact that that is what they are doing.

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