Tribune chairman Sam Zell decrees that his properties will no longer filter the Internet content that employees can view. Via email to staffers:

From: Talk to Sam
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:03 AM
Subject: Censorship, the First Amendment and the Fourth Estate

Everyone,

I learned on the first leg of our tour of Tribune's business units that some of them were filtering Internet content. I do not see how a member of the Fourth Estate, dedicated to protecting the First Amendment, can censor what its own employees and partners can see. I have instructed that all content filters be removed. You are now exposed to the dangers of You Tube and Facebook. Please use your best judgment. Let's focus on what is important, and go for greatness.

Sam

Good on him. Except, should Sam Zell really be involved in this level of decision? And does this mean Times and KTLA staffers can now view porn at their computers?

Related: Free to read LA Observed again

Also: Times staffers, some by name, react to O'Shea departure at Editor & Publisher (via Romenesko)