CCIA Expresses Concern Over Gingrich Speech

File Under: 2006, CCIA

Nov 30, 2006

Washington, D.C. – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) expressed concern today over former Speaker Newt Gingrich’s call to curtail free speech o­n the Internet at the Nackey S. Loeb First Amendment award dinner.

In response, CCIA President and CEO Ed Black issued the following statement:

"Because Mr. Gingrich has at times shown insight into the technology and Internet world, his comments are especially disturbing. An open and free Internet offers the greatest potential for the advancement of human freedom, dignity, and the core principles that are the very soul of our nation.

"Precisely because of its freedom and openness, the Internet has developed into an invaluable tool that has facilitated collaboration, enlivened debate, sped discourse, and allowed for the maturation of ideas faster than previously possible at any point in human history. Much like the American Revolution before it, freedom of speech is o­ne of the bedrock principals o­n which the Information Revolution has been conditioned and has thrived. Destroying this freedom and openness will cause more harm than terrorists could ever hope to achieve o­n their own."

"Malicious actors will always exist and seek to take advantage of all means that will help them further their ends. Specifically targeting bad actors and crafting smart, precise countermeasures to combat them is the way to stop them before we ‘lose a city.’ Overbroad regulations curtailing free speech will harm everyday Americans, while doing little to combat the true source of the problem. As many great Americans before us have pointed out, the way to counter hateful speech is with more, better articulated speech."