Cable Takes Stand Against Child Porn

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association Thursday announced that 18 of the nation's largest cable and broadband Internet service providers have agreed to block access to any Web sites known to host or distribute illegal child pornography files. The cable operators signed an agreement to work with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG). companies will also report any instances of child pornography they unearth to the NCMEC CyberTipline and, where appropriate, revise their policies around other potential sources of child pornography such as newsgroups and other online bulletin boards. Collectively these companies serve 87% of Internet subscribers (more than 112 million homes). FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell responded to the announcement saying, "I am delighted to hear that the NCTA, the NCMEC, and the NAAG have agreed to help reduce the proliferation of child pornography online. Today's agreement will provide cable broadband service providers with the tools necessary to protect our children from online predators." Sen Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) said, "This agreement is an important step in combating online child pornography and I commend the groups involved for fighting against its spread across the Internet. There is still more that government and industry can do together to protect children online, including education about proper online behavior and how to avoid viewing illicit material."