The oral arguments before the Supreme Court concerning the Communications Decency Act (CDA) focused extensively on determining the most appropriate analogy for cyberspace.Arguments were presented that compared the Internet to a library, to television, and to a public place such as a street corner or park.

(a)Why are these comparisons important?Briefly explain the differences between libraries, television, and public places with respect to First Amendment protection.

(b)For each of these three analogies (library, television, and public place), describe one significant way in which the Internet is similar and one significant way in which it is different.Explain the relevance of each of these similarities and differences to the issue of regulation of the Internet.