THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT - CONGRESSIONAL REPUDIATION OF THE RIGHT STUFF

The Communications Decency Act of 1996 generated a national debate reg arding the proper role of government in the regulation of indecent Int ernet communications. This Note offers a philosophical analysis of tha t debate, from the legislative history of the Act through the upcoming Supreme Court review of a judicial panel's decision that certain prov isions of the Act are unconstitutional. The author concludes that Cong ress acted imprudently in passing the Communications Decency Act of 19 96, and beseeches Congress to refrain from any future attempts to regu late the Internet.