State of Wash. Supreme Court OKs Internet filters

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Supreme Court has ruled that public libraries can use Internet filters to block content.

In a 6-3 ruling today, the court says public libraries have discretion about which Internet content to allow, just as they decide which magazines and books to offer.

The majority says libraries don't need to completely remove Internet filters and can provide access to Web sites containing constitutionally protected speech if requested by an adult.

But a blistering dissent by Justice Tom Chambers argues that the ruling restricts constitutionally protected speech.