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Sunday, November 11, 2007

State Censoring Blogs?

This was posted on the political/oil/Czech rock blog Alaskan Abroad Saturday:

I just found out the state blocks AA [Alaskan Abroad] on state-owned computers, at least for classified employees. The ban doesn't apply for legislators or the Third Floor. How cool is that?



My response? Not cool at all. The most positive explanation would be that something in his plastic people coverage snagged the State internet filter. But then it would have snagged the ADN as well, surely. And I know State workers can get the ADN because they've linked to this blog from the ADN.

And why would the third floor have access? Or do they have unfiltered access to the internet?

So, first, is this really happening? If it is, who sets the State policy on state employee internet access? Why would a blog that focuses on Alaska politics and oil issues get blocked? This is a giant step backward for bloggers.

5 comments:

  1. And I thought he was talking about them blocking access to the Alcoholics Anonymous site. What a rip-off! We need to do something about this. I'm starting by writing to both Lyda Green and Carl Gatto - my people - and protesting.

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  2. Actually, they're not singling out the "Alaskan Abruad" site. The state blocks most blogs.

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  3. Anon, if you have any specific information about this please email me. There's an email link on my profile page.

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  4. It has been blocked for quite some time.

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  5. Blogs are also blocked from offices in the Boney and Nesbett courthouses in Anchorage -- I believe the setting applies to anything that appears to be hosted by Blogger, TypePad and the like.

    ReplyDelete

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