Path: cdrom.com!barrnet.net!biosci!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!news.intercon.com!panix!not-for-mail
From: rwebb@panix.com (Russell Webb)
Newsgroups: alt.cd-rom
Subject: EFF Fake Press Release Hoax (was: Adult BBS systems Beware)
Date: 14 Mar 1994 20:41:42 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC
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Message-ID: <2m33om$b95@panix2.panix.com>
References: <7.10256.954.0N5C28F4@cld9.com> <763163363.24snx@config.com>
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>In article <7.10256.954.0N5C28F4@cld9.com> douglas.carpenter@cld9.com writes:
>>I am quoting the following from an article today that I
>>received a copy of from Faye at the now defunct Tradeshows.
>
>>The EFF has issued a warning to sysops that the following files,
[...]

****
  This "EFF Press Release" is a HOAX.  Please help to stop this 
  disinformation from spreading further.  Included below is a 
  statement from Mike Godwin of the EFF.  See the Usenet newsgroup
  comp.org.eff.talk for the original posting.
****

> From: mnemonic@eff.org (Mike Godwin)
> Newsgroups: alt.2600,comp.org.eff.talk
> Subject: "Porn Press Release" from EFF is a Hoax
> Date: 10 Mar 1994 10:46:04 -0500
> Organization: Electronic Frontier Foundation
> 
> At EFF, we have been receiving a number of queries about an alleged EFF
> "press release" or "statement" announcing the following:
> 
> "Senator Jess Helms (R-NC) requested that the FBI become more involved in
> the fight to stop adult images from being distributed on electronic
> bulletin boards and the Internet."
> 
> Typically, the "press release" has included the following:
> 
> : "The EFF has issued a warning to sysops that the following files
> : which depict any of the following acts are illegal in all 50
> : states, and can subject the sysop to prosecution regardless of
> : whether the sysop knows about the files or not.
> :
> : "--Depiction of actual sex acts in progress"
> :
> : "--Depiction of an erect penis"
> 
> 
> *There is no such press release.*
> 
> *The press release is a hoax.*
> 
> 
> Several people seem to have been fooled by the false press release,
> including the new publication SYSOP NEWS, which reprinted it uncritically
> in its first issue.
> 
> I urge you to spread this announcement to every BBS of which you a member.
> 
> Thank you for helping us stop the unethical people who spread this
> misinformation.
> 
> --Mike
> 
> -- 
> Mike Godwin, (202) 347-5400 |"And walk among long dappled grass,
> mnemonic@eff.org            | And pluck till time and times are done 
> Electronic Frontier         | The silver apples of the moon,
> Foundation                  | The golden apples of the sun."