April 4, 2012 | Online

Arizona tries to censor the web

The bad news: Arizona has approved a bill that bans 'offensive' speech on the Internet. The penalty is up to six months in jail if you "terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend" someone.

The good news: Governor Jan Brewer has not yet signed the bill into law. (Though, knowing her, she will.)

David Horowitz, of the Media Coalition in New York City, pointed out that this bill would severely inhibit First Amendment rights. "Even in talk radio, saying 'I know this will offend my listeners' is a common practice. It's a tradition, speech that challenges the status quo," he said.

Rush Limbaugh calling Sandra Fluke a "slut" would be a criminal act, he said. And Sen. Al Franken's book, Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot, would also violate the law.

From comments on blogs, to Facebook posts, everything would potentially be considered fair game if the bill is signed.

"It doesn't mean that the person is instantly going to be fined or put away," State Rep. Steve Farley, a co-sponsor of the bill, said. "But if the judge determines it relates to other circumstances in the case then they can use this as another tool to make that decision."

"I'm a defender of the Constitution like anyone else, but the First Amendment doesn't give you the right to harass or terrorize someone," said Justin Patchin, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. He pointed out that 38 states already have cyberbullying laws on the books. "This certainly doesn't or wouldn't restrict one's freedom of speech. If it does, it will be overturned."

We'd tell you what we really think of the politicians who passed this bill, but we don't want to be arrested.

'Annoying, Offending' Language Online Would Be Crime Under Arizona Bill [ABC News]

Arizona Looks to Outlaw Internet Trolling [Time]