Conference 7.286::digital

1646.0. "From VTX VNS - Prodigy - Bans bias notes from bulletin board" by RICKS::PHIPPS () Fri Oct 25 1991 15:22

 Prodigy - Bans bias notes from bulletin board
	{The Wall Street Journal, 24-Oct-91, p. B1}
   Policy announced a policy of banning messages "grossly repugnant to
 community standards," including expressions of bigotry and racism. In a
 reversal from previous statements, Prodigy executives also called unacceptable
 an anti-Semitic message that figured in complaints against Prodigy by the
 Anti-Defamation League. In two letters and a meeting with the ADL, and in
 interviews this week, Prodigy had defended carrying the note, which said,
 "Hitler had some valid points" and observed or pogroms and the Holocaust: Jews
 "only get what they so richly deserve." Yesterday Prodigy said it determined
 it has never publicly carried that note, a statement the ADL accepted. In
 fact, Prodigy said it rejected the note 15 times for public posting. "The
 truth is we didn't post it then and we wouldn't post it now," said Prodigy
 Senior Vice President Henry Heilbrunn. The ADL said the Hitler note was one of
 several messages it received in a complaint about Prodigy Jeffrey Sinensky,
 director of the ADL's civil rights division, said the organization checked
 back with the complainant and believes the message may have been a private
 electronic message between two individuals - as opposed to a public posting
 for all Prodigy members to see. In a news conference in New York, Prodigy
 officials said the company has "amplified" its definition of "offensive," and
 will immediately promulgate its new guidelines over its network.

	Heck, I reckon they can do what they want.  

	But the interesting thing is that Prodigy ALSO censors
	other mail.....like mail between users that critcizes
	Prodigy....

	Steve H