DANGEROUS MEDIA

Information might be regarded as "dangerous" when it is considered within a certain context. Post "9/11", a significant amount of non-classified government information that was once readily accessible has been suppressed for fear that it could be used to aid terrorists. For example, maps of water systems have been withdrawn from Federal Depository Libraries at the request of the U.S. Geological Survey (see more examples). Within the same context, some might also consider information "dangerous" when it is consumed by particular readers--current targets of suspicion might include foreign nationals, individuals of Arab descent, Muslims, perhaps even French nationals. In the hands of a suspected "terrorist", even something as innocuous as a calendar or telephone book might be considered "dangerous". The USA PATRIOT Act specifically diminishes the rights of foreign nationals and suspected terrorists. These "dangerous" readers may not have any rights to intellectual freedom that Americans hold dear.

Information that might be considered dangerous:

Aviation Training
Bomb Making
Chemistry
Engineering
Maps/Navigation
Propaganda
Religious Materials
Tactical Manuals
Tourist Information
Weapons