The Bizarre Position of Public Radio on Internet Linking

To HELL With Free Speech

Perhaps Jeffrey Dvorkin, Ombudsman for National Public Radio, was only attempting to defend a policy so stupid it actually defies defense, but his interview with WIRED NEWS (here) became so convoluted and bizarre it began to sound like Abbott and Costello's famous "who's On First?" comedy routine.

In any case the entire Internet community is in an uproar over NPR's attempt to regulate exact who, what, where, when and why anyone links to their website.

Often referred to jokingly as the Communist Radio Network or National Pinko Radio by conservative talk radio hosts, NPR actually is trying to act like the the SOVIET Government of old. They want total, absolute and unyielding control of "their" news. In order to link to their website, you must first fill out a detailed form requesting the link. The information requirements include: the linker's name, e-mail address, physical address, phone number, information about the linking site, how long the link will remain on the site, the "proposed wording of the link and accompanying text," the U.S. state in which the linking site is incorporated and if it's a commercial site.

The tragedy here is the absolute violation of the right to Freedom of Speech, a right the WIZARD, fkap had always depended on NPR to defend.

UPDATE 8/8/02: After massive public outcry, including the above article which appeared on the MAIN PAGE of the WIZARD, fkap, NPR "softened" their stance on linking and agreed to allow linking, but maintained their "rights" to review links and content of linking sites. It is, of course, virtually impossible for NPR to do this and no further action has been taken.