Illinois University Restricts Access To Social Media, Online Political Content

onproton writes Northern Illinois University recently began restricting student access to web pages that contain "illegal or unethical" content which, according to University policy, includes resources used for "political activities...and the organization or participation in meetings, rallies and demonstrations." A student raised concerns after attempting to access the Wikipedia page for Westboro Baptist Church, and receiving a filter message informing him that his access of this page would likely violate the University's Acceptable Use Policy, along with a warning that "all violations would be reviewed." This has lead to questions about whether some policies that restrict student access to information are in the best interest of the primary goal of education.

Re:could've sworn this was not the case

[wiredlogic]

Because an institution of higher learning prefers its workers to be dumb and uninformed.

Re:More about Indoctrination

[fightinfilipino]

Perhaps it is because some universities are more about indoctrination than education.

Fixed that for you.

only a Sith deals in absolutes.

Re:More about Indoctrination

[wisnoskij]

I never realised how ironic/hypocritical that statement was until now.

Re:More about Indoctrination

[Anonymous Coward]

I tried to see if that was true, but my university won't let me visit any of the websites that talk about it :(

Re:Turn it around:

[penguinoid]

- Campus Christian Ministry decides to start spamming the entire campus with pro-life messages.
- Young Republicans club start spamming the entire campus with messages calling for the impeachment of Pres. Obama.
- ROTC program starts spamming the entire campus with messages encouraging students to sign up for military service.

Where's your unfettered free speech now?

In my spam folder?