Source: ZDNet News
By: Lisa M. Bowman
(WASHINGTON) — The Democratic VP candidate has the backing of tech bigwigs across the political spectrum, but his views on content censorship worry cyberlibertarians.
As an active promoter of Internet-related legislation, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., has landed financial backing from tech bigwigs from across the political spectrum.
But the Democratic vice presidential candidate has also drawn the ire of cyberrights groups for his efforts to monitor and label content both on and offline.
Lieberman has sided with the industry on many issues, including lifting the cap on H1-B visas, approving the moratorium on Internet taxes, extending the R&D tax credit, and promoting anti-spam legislation.
In addition, Lieberman has questioned federal proposals to change the policy on repricing stock options and accounting for mergers.
He’s also pushed privacy legislation and invited hacker Kevin Mitnick to participate in hearings on Internet security.
What’s more, Lieberman has obtained financial backing for his Senate campaign from technology heavyweights ranging from Republican John Chambers, the CEO of Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO – news), to Democrat John Doerr, partner in the venture capital firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, & Byers.
Lieberman supports the concept of a federal technology czar, someone who could act as a liaison between states and federal agencies on technology issues.
Shivers over censorship
But some of Lieberman’s stances on censorship have sent shivers down the spine of free-speech advocates and those who fear that installing V-chips and labeling videos are just the first steps down the road toward blocking Internet content.
For instance, while in the Senate, Lieberman successfully advocated a rating system for game makers.
He also was a sponsor of V-chip legislation, which required that the content-rating technology be installed in all new televisions. And he urged the creation of a .sex domain to designate sites that contain sexually explicit material.
He also crossed party lines, joining William Bennett, Ronald Reagan’s former U.S. Secretary of Education, to issue the Silver Sewer Award — which, according to Lieberman’s Web site, spotlights "the nation’s leading cultural polluters."
Recipients of the Sewer award have included Seagram Inc. for its support of the "The Jerry Springer Show" and rocker Marilyn Manson; CBS Television for a "60 Minutes" broadcast of Dr. Jack Kevorkian lethally injecting one of his patients; and the Fox Television Network for shows referring to masturbation and pre-marital sex.
Direct power unlikely
Whatever Lieberman’s view on the Internet issues, it’s unlikely he will have any direct power in promoting Internet policy. After all, vice presidents don’t have the right to veto bills, and can only directly affect legislation by casting a tie-breaking vote in the Senate, a rarely invoked privilege.
However, vice presidents can raise the prominence of certain issues, as Al Gore has with his focus on technology and the environment.
While accepting his vice presidential nomination Tuesday, Lieberman spoke before a lectern with www.algore2000.com plastered across the front.
However, Lieberman didn’t mention the Internet specifically. Instead, he promised that he, along with Tipper Gore — who in the past has crusaded for content labeling — would help "to raise PG kids in an X-rated society."
