    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [June 26, 1997]
    [Page 829]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Supreme Court Decision on the Communications Decency
    Act of 1996
    June 26, 1997

        Today the Supreme Court ruled that portions of the Communications
    Decency Act addressing indecency are not constitutional. We will study
    its opinion closely.
        The administration remains firmly committed to the provisions--both
    in the CDA and elsewhere in the criminal code--that prohibit the
    transmission of obscenity over the Internet and via other media.
    Similarly, we remain committed to vigorous enforcement of Federal
    prohibitions against transmission of child pornography over the Internet
    and another prohibition that makes criminal the use of the Internet by
    pedophiles to entice children to engage in sexual activity.
        The Internet is an incredibly powerful medium for freedom of speech
    and freedom of expression that should be protected. It is the biggest
    change in human communications since the printing press and is being
    used to educate our children, promote electronic commerce, provide
    valuable health care information, and allow citizens to keep in touch
    with their Government. But there is material on the Internet that is
    clearly inappropriate for children. As a parent, I understand the
    concerns that parents have about their children accessing inappropriate
    material.
        If we are to make the Internet a powerful resource for learning, we
    must give parents and teachers the tools they need to make the Internet
    safe for children.
        Therefore, in the coming days, I will convene industry leaders and
    groups representing teachers, parents, and librarians. We can and must
    develop a solution for the Internet that is as powerful for the computer
    as the V-chip will be for the television and that protects children in
    ways that are consistent with America's free speech values. With the
    right technology and rating systems, we can help ensure that our
    children don't end up in the red light districts of cyberspace.

    Note: The Communications Decency Act of 1996 is title V of Public Law
    104-104.