The Scientology Debate
Although the Scientology issues on the web deal the suppression of
information, they are more directly associated with copyright and
intellectual property issues. In most cases it comes down to the
scientologists trying to suppress information that they claim to own.
The first case that drew a lot of attention involved a server in the
Netherlands.
Officials there raided a server that had information about the Church of
Scientology and discussions on a bbs regarding that information.
The Church has tremendous legal representation around the world and uses
it to stop information leaks. There are cases in California and Colorado
that are well covered by those interested in freedoms on the net. The
EFF has
its own archive dedicated to the Church of Scientology. Their movements
are being watched closely.
International Control to access
Governments around the world are grappling with trying to control
information and maintain connectivity. In New
Zealand a
bbs was raided and shut down for transmitting obscene materials. This
parallels some of the cases here in the U.S.
In Canada it is illegal to report information about certain legal cases
while the trial is underway. Canadian
Universities
banned the newgroup called alt.fan.karla-homolka. Karla Homolkawas
involved in a famous murder case that involved her husband and the deaths
of a number of young women, including Ms. Homolka's sister.