Money Bytes
Site ban limits students' freedom of speech
Shannon Cohen
Business & Technology Editor
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Business
Students were surprised when they found that they could no longer access the increasingly popular gossip Web site, juicycampus.com
The Web site was created to allow students to share gossip about their colleagues and warn others about clandestine circumstances.
Although 200 campuses were listed on the site, TSU was ranked No. 1.
TSU students quickly took onto the site revealing and discussing some of the most personal secrets. The topics included, but were definitely not limited to, Biggest Man Whores, Down Low TSU Guys and Worst Weaves.
Students did not hesitate to post their comments as to who they believed best fit the respective topics.
Coincidentally, when some of the more popular students were insulted, the Web site was suddenly banned on campus. This action immediately raised the question, is this violating the First Amendment?
The First Amendment clearly prohibits Congress from making laws "respecting an establishment of religion" or prohibiting the free exercise of religion, laws that infringe the freedom of speech, infringe the freedom of the press, or limit the right to peaceably assemble or limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The key words in the amendment that directly tie to the banning of the site are freedom of speech.
Students were simply expressing their freedom of speech on the site by posting their opinions of their colleagues. What is the harm in that?
It is apparent that those who were directly insulted were so hurt by the site that they went the extra mile to get it banned.
If the allegations were false then there should not have been any problem with students accessing the site and posting their opinions.
The university felt the need to ban the site based on the emotions of a few students mentioned on the site. The prohibition of the site disallows students to openly express their opinions.
Unfortunately, the university does hold the right to ban any Web site they please. Welcome to a state school. •
The Web site was created to allow students to share gossip about their colleagues and warn others about clandestine circumstances.
Although 200 campuses were listed on the site, TSU was ranked No. 1.
TSU students quickly took onto the site revealing and discussing some of the most personal secrets. The topics included, but were definitely not limited to, Biggest Man Whores, Down Low TSU Guys and Worst Weaves.
Students did not hesitate to post their comments as to who they believed best fit the respective topics.
Coincidentally, when some of the more popular students were insulted, the Web site was suddenly banned on campus. This action immediately raised the question, is this violating the First Amendment?
The First Amendment clearly prohibits Congress from making laws "respecting an establishment of religion" or prohibiting the free exercise of religion, laws that infringe the freedom of speech, infringe the freedom of the press, or limit the right to peaceably assemble or limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The key words in the amendment that directly tie to the banning of the site are freedom of speech.
Students were simply expressing their freedom of speech on the site by posting their opinions of their colleagues. What is the harm in that?
It is apparent that those who were directly insulted were so hurt by the site that they went the extra mile to get it banned.
If the allegations were false then there should not have been any problem with students accessing the site and posting their opinions.
The university felt the need to ban the site based on the emotions of a few students mentioned on the site. The prohibition of the site disallows students to openly express their opinions.
Unfortunately, the university does hold the right to ban any Web site they please. Welcome to a state school. •
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