A Selective Timeline of Art Censorship in the U.S.A.: 1998

The Child Online Protection Act is passed. COPA mandates restriction of minors' access to "harmful to minors" materials commercially distributed over the World Wide Web.

NEA v. Finley the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the "decency" standard for federal grants to the arts, which requires the NEA to take into account "general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the American public" when making grants. The majority decision holds that the "decency" standard is only advisory, and cannot be used to censor controversial art or ideas.

Terrence McNally's play, Corpus Christi, and the Manhattan Theater Club, where it is to premier, face protest and threats from the Catholic League and others objecting to its portrayal of Christ and the apostles as gay. One of the theater's corporate sponsors withdraws financial support. The Manhattan Theater Club announces that it is canceling the production. Under pressure from freedom of speech advocates, including playwrights, directors, and the media, the theater reverses its decision.