The U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 23 that the Children’s Internet Protection Act, which requires public libraries that receive federal funds to install content filters on public access computer terminals, is constitutional.
Reversing a three-judge panel decision from a federal district court in Pennsylvania, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote for three others that the law did not violate patrons’ First Amendment rights and was a valid exercise of Congress’ spending power Two justices concurred in the result.
“The Government here is not denying a benefit to anyone, but is instead simply insisting that public funds be spent for the purpose for which they are authorized: helping public libraries fulfill their traditional role of obtaining material of requisite and appropriate quality for educational and informational purposes,” O’Connor wrote.
Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David Souter and John Paul Stevens dissented.