Educational Media Reviews Online

Hate and the Internet: Web Sites and the Issue of Free Speech debates the question of whether hate sites on the World Wide Web are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech. The program explores how hate groups formerly limited their activities to distribution of pamphlets or "street corner ravings" (a term used in the video) now have a global means for recruitment and exchange of information. The program examines how the Internet provides a cheap, anonymous, and growing vehicle for hate groups to flourish. The examination also raises the question: How (if at all) can the expansion and dissemination of this information be controlled?

The first part of the program explores growth of the Internet and how it has provided a means of advertising the message of hate groups. Members of hate groups as well as their opponents are interviewed. The remainder of the program consists of a segment of the ABC News program Nightline hosted by Ted Koppel. Koppel moderates a discussion between Don Black, owner of "Stormfront," a White Supremacist Web site and Floyd Abrams, a First Amendment Attorney who has represented both the New York Times and ABC News. Their discussion raises points such as what truly constitutes the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, filtering software (both sites filtered and the appropriateness of using this software), and the consequences of suppressing information of a volatile nature.

The video is short (only 22 minutes) and the quality of the production is excellent. It would be ideal for high school, college, and university audiences. It would also be of interest to general adult populations since the topic is very current and relevant. Hate and the Internet: Web Sites and the Issue of Free Speech is highly recommended. It touches on ugly issues that should not be ignored, raises questions as to what rights people are guaranteed by the First Amendment, and the role of the Internet in shaping society.