This specific article, in our opinion, is alarming and indicative of the prejudiced mood which accompanies the diffusion of the new forms of electronic communication.
Here is the text of the press release.
“”””””””””””””””””””””-
We learn from information media that the anti-paedophilia proposal of law, currently being discussed, might introduce a hypothesis of crime for whom broadcasts pornographic material “even through electronic media”.

It is not possible to ascertain the exact meaning of this norm, which specifies without any apparent reason a new harmful modality (the electronic broadcasting), as if this might be different or peculiar in comparison to others.

It would have been different (but not less questionable and impactful) to say, confounding the means with the aims, that “anyone broadcasts pornographic material is punished [“¦] If this is realised with electronic means, the penalty is aggravated.”

The precisation contained in the article is then not only pleonastic, but also alarming. In a moment where the governments of Europe and many other countries are becoming aware of the important role electronic communication may play as a civil service tool, where also in Italy the Public Administration is starting to get involved into putting it to use for the citizens”™ service, it is worrying that this article and other legislative provisions may be counteractive.

A just principle, like the repression of aberrant forms of criminality, is being applied in a very questionable manner, from both technical and juridical points of view.

The problem is that, once again, we see a cultural prejudice rising against electronic communication and an absence of correct information in this subject, whick seem to originate from ignorance, misinformation and unjustified fears.

ALCEI is ready to give its maximum collaboration to the Justicà©s Commission and to all authorities and organizations intent in fighting the paedophilià s plague, so that criminal behaviors may be prosecuted with real effectiveness and without improper forms of repression and censorship, which would be ineffectual against the culprits but may damage the opinion”™s freedom of the citizens.