Supreme Court to Review Landmark Decision Barring Internet Censorship

Statement of ACLU Legal Director Steven Shapiro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK-The Supreme Court’s decision to review Reno v. ACLU comes as no surprise, considering that this is an important case challenging an important federal statute.

However, we remain convinced that the lower court decision was correct and we are confident that it will be upheld by the Supreme Court.

Of course, we would not be here today were it not for Congress’ misguided attempt to regulate what one lower court judge described as “the most participatory form of mass speech yet developed.”

We will continue to work together with our colleagues to ensure the best possible outcome for free speech principles.

Note to reporters and editors: In its orders issued today, the Supreme Court laid out the following briefing schedule: appellants (government’s) brief is due on January 21, 1997; the appellee’s briefs (ACLU and ALA) are due on February 20, 1997. The government’s final, or reply, brief is due on March 7, 1997. Argument in the case will be scheduled later that month.

For detailed information on Supreme Court procedure in this case, see the ACLU backgrounder, Reno v. ACLU: The Road to the Supreme Court.

More ACLU v. Reno Case Materials