Describes the panic that typically arises when the First Amendment is invoked in charges of sexual harassment in schools. Contends that sexism is a fundamental part of school culture, that school administrators apply free speech rights differently to males and females in schools, and that the Constitution applies to girls too. (24 footnotes) (MLF)

Discusses regulating access to the Internet and describes the results of a related two-part survey. Focuses on accessibility of World Wide Web sites that contain offensive materials and reports on measures by British universities to control access by staff and students. A list of possibly offensive newsgroups is appended. (Author/JKP)

Discusses the mission of public libraries in light of the decision to purchase Madonna's book "Sex." Three viewpoints are presented: a critic of selection policies that are too broad in the name of intellectual freedom; the director of a small public library with a limited budget; and a library historian. (Contains 18 references.) (LRW)

Inconsistencies in librarians' professional identification and self-image are seen as partly responsible for the limited effectiveness of instructional programs and for the lack of a central position in the information society. Considers ramifications of faculty status; implications of the commitment to intellectual freedom; obligations implied by…

Presents an in-depth review of desegregation efforts waged in the nation's courts, along with insights into the overall effectiveness of the courts' rulings in this area. It discusses concepts of academic freedom at the postsecondary level and their influence on higher education desegregation efforts. The authors provide a partial explanation for…

Examines the debate surrounding the question of using "bad means to achieve a particular good." States that this has significant implications: (1) student publications should play an important role as an inculcator of professional ethical values; and (2) student reporters and editors may be confronted by an actual situation in which such…

The power of academic freedom lies in the ambiguity between its existence as a universal principle and as a historically circumscribed relationship. Its greatest threat is dogmatism, which seeks to banish ambiguity by appealing to absolute truth. Academic freedom is an ethical practice aimed at both protection of individuals and advancement of…

Increasingly, college students are challenging the content of courses and criticizing faculty as promoting their own viewpoints in the classroom. Some feel faculty cannot and should not attempt to "neutralize" their lectures; others prefer that teachers encourage communication and public debate on controversial issues. (MSE)

In response to an article by Hugh Breyer in 1991 in this journal, discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in "Employment of Oregon Department of Human Resources v. Smith" that the peyote religious service was not constitutionally protected and explains its implications for cases like "Mozert v. Hawkins Public Schools." (31…

Presents U.S. broadcasting history as the interplay between powerful commercial forces and a broadcast reform movement that opposed commercial control of the industry. Suggests that broadcast reformers developed traditions of media criticism that are useful today. Describes the lack of debate preceding the Communications Act of 1934 as a weak spot…

In a case concerning a teenager charged with cross burning, the Supreme Court, in a 9-0 decision, ruled that a St. Paul, Minnesota, ordinance was unconstitutional. Summarizes Justice Scalia's opinion and three concurring opinions that reflect bitter disagreement among the justices. Discusses the meaning of this decision and its implications for…

Describes activities of the Council on Competitiveness under the leadership of Vice President Dan Quayle. Regulatory interference, legislative projects, and policy proposals for special interests that have benefited business and industry are described; refusals to comply with the Freedom of Information Act are discussed; and recommendations for…

Examines the conflict between the "politically correct" movement and educational "traditionalists." Suggests that the "politically correct" view seeks to purge sexism, racism, and economic classism, whereas traditionalists desire to inject values into education. Identifies the one-sidedness of each position. Argues…

Discussion of the acquisition and dissemination of revisionist history materials by public libraries focuses on revisionism related to the Jewish Holocaust. Intellectual freedom is addressed, the role of the public library is considered, handling holocaust-denial literature is described, and an example from the Edmonton Public Library is…

Discusses several defamation cases involving school executives' written or spoken statements about terminated employees' performance and qualifications. Pays special attention to lawsuits hinging on administrators' and board members' informal remarks about school employees, outlining permissible behaviors and suggesting ways to avoid defamation…