---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 07:58:10 -0700 (PDT) From: Declan McCullagh <declan@well.com> To: fight-censorship-announce@vorlon.mit.edu Subject: Internet Content Coal. bars press from "news rating" mtg on 8/28 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 17:53:24 -0400 From: Vin Crosbie <crosbie@well.com> Subject: ICC bars the press -- irony? Does anyone besides me find it both humorous and sad that this week's meeting of the Internet Content Coalition, during which it will likely discuss its proposal to rate or label which websites offer 'news', will be closed to the press? Does no one else find an unfortunate irony that editorial organizations such as MSNBC, CMP, Playboy, AdWeek, and C/NET are meeting behind closed doors to discuss their proposal about why or how to label or rate which websites are deemed to offer 'news'? After all, why bother discussing a controversial issue in public, in the light of day? Why should these editorial organizations live by the standard with which they judge others? Would they object if other groups or bodies were barring them from reporting on a meeting to discuss a proposal to rate or label whether they offer 'news' content? I think so.

"This is an off-the-record meeting, where New Media editors can discuss openly and freely, and where we hope to reach a consensus on moving forward. It is not open to the press," said James Kinsella, general manager of MSNBC in an e-mail message. quotes Editor & Publisher magazine's website. http://www.MediaINFO.com/ephome/news/newshtm/stories/082297n1.htm

Yes, I'm sure that ICC members will feel more free to discuss controversial issues if their meeting is closed to the press. Meetings that are closed to the press are often run more efficiently and can reach concensus more quickly. Just ask any government official, bureaucrat, corporate or special interest executive, or dictator. They'll verify these practical advantages for keeping press out. I realize that the ICC is a private organization. It can do what it wants, including barring the press. But isn't it funny how the 'news' organizations involved plan to bar other 'news' organization so that they can discuss whether or not to deem who offers 'news'? Shame on all involved. _________________________________________________________ Vin Crosbie crosbie@well.com