StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Issue of Internet Censorship - Term Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
"Issue of Internet Censorship" paper argues that internet censorship is useful in safeguarding individual privacy and curtailing the spread of negative speech. On the other hand, critics of censorship argue that it is an infringement of freedom of speech and expression…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER98.8% of users find it useful
Issue of Internet Censorship
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Issue of Internet Censorship"

Internet censorship Introduction Internet censorship has become a topic of publicized debate. There is growing controversy on whether national governments should censor the internet in order to promote some particular standards of moral behaviour or whether to encourage free access of information (Day 3). Accordingly, the growth of the world wide network has made it possible for individuals to access volumes of information, news and entertainment across the world. The internet is considered a free media by many, but recent trend of internet censorship has attracted a lot of controversy. Some of the reasons cited for internet censorship include the need to preserve social morals and to the need to safeguard national security. On the other hand, opponents of internet censorship argue that such a move by the government limits the freedom of speech and the access to crucial information thus leading to reduction of the citizens’ welfare (Zuchora-Walske 2). One of the arguments that have been put across for the censorship of the internet is the need to protect the social norms. Proponents of internet censorship argue that unlimited internet access exposes children to pornography and hate speech thus negatively affecting their morals. In addition, the government should censor the access to homosexuality sites and religious sites that try to propagate negative religious doctrines that may affect social cohesion in the society (Russell and Cohn 67). Opponents of this argument assert that parents have the primary responsibility of safeguarding their children from pornographic sites by implementing internet filtering systems thus government should not censor the internet. They argue that censorship jeopardizes the right to information and right to conversation through the internet (Day 10). Another argument for internet censorship is the protection of national security. Proponents of this argument assert that it is the duty of the government to protect the national sovereignty and national interests of the country. In this regard, the government has the responsibility of censoring the internet in order to protect the military secrets from access by the enemies. For instance, China has continued to restrict the access to several web pages and filter digital information. Google has in the past protested against China’s decision thus leading to removal of the servers. However, Chinese people can still access Google servers using Hong Kong name, but cannot access certain search names especially that deal with online entertainment sites and government information (Russell and Cohn 126). According to the proponents of internet censorship, the suppression of some internet information usually upholds the social values in the society. In fact, some countries have implemented different censorship strategies in order to uphold the existing values and traditions of the citizen. This type of censorship upholds the moral of the society. For instance, Asian countries such as China have blocked internet sites that promote homosexuality and internet gambling. According to this argument, it is the responsibility of the government to protect the moral fabric of the society such as the family values, the gender roles and cohesion through preventing access to information that is contrary with the morals of the society. In addition, censorship will protect the population from sexism, segregation and racism that is usually exposed to children and citizens in the social websites. A further related argument of internet censorship is a need to ensure religious tolerance through preventing the furtherance of negative religious doctrines that may expose the country to religious based violence. In addition, censorship ensures that customs and taboos of the society are preserved. The dress code, sexual expression and religious beliefs are preserved through censuring the internet. However, critics argue that social values, taboos, dress code and religious beliefs change with changes in the society. Critics point out that new economic conditions, technology and changes in social environment are accompanied by changes in taboos and customs thus it is the duty of the society to embrace the changes in social values and dress code (Russell and Cohn 88). Proponents of censorship assert that it can be used to portray the negative impact of individuals thus it is critical to protect the privacy of individuals. For instance, censorship will prevent broadcasting of events that may trigger violence in the society. For instance, during terrorism attacks, censuring the internet will control the rumors and panic that may spread in the society. In addition, censuring information will also ensure that terrorists do not have access of information containing new atomic technologies and layout of significant facilities like airports that may be a target for terrorism related activities (Zuchora-Walske 29). Critics of internet censorship assert that many authoritarian governments censor the internet just to suppress freedom of speech and information. Such governments do not hold free and fair elections thus try to hold on to power through censoring the information that is available to the citizens. For instance, the ruling government will limit the access to the internet sites that minority groups use to contradict and pressure the government in ensuring democratic ideals and human rights. The opponents assert this is a dictatorial tactic used by authoritarian governments in order to suppress the agitation of freedom of press and free speech from the citizens. Additionally, censorship of the internet will continue to promote the ignorance of the citizens since special interest groups will take advantage of the situation and hold on to power (Zuchora-Walske 54). Critics of internet censorship also point out that it may foster the abuse of human rights by blocking legitimate criticism of unfair criminal trials by oppressive governments. In such case, censorship is not ideal for democratic nations that promote competitive politics and respect for fundamental human rights. Censuring the internet in order to protect the excesses of the government will create a negative image of the country among the international community (Russell and Cohn 221). Critics point out that idea of censuring the internet content has been misused in the past thus it curtails the free flow of ideas. The internet technology has been used to promote creativity, research and innovation in all parts of the country. In this regard, internet censorship will hinder research, new ideas and information thus ultimately impacting of the quality of welfare in the society. It is evident that governments, learning institutions and research institutions have to visit numerous websites in order to foster new knowledge generation (Russell and Cohn 228). Surprisingly, critics argue that internet access does not affect the morals or behaviour of the citizens. Censuring the internet to children may also make it difficult for the school authorities and parents to teach children on sexually transmitted diseases or even the need to refrain from drug abuse. The more the government censures the internet from teenagers, the more the teenagers will be curious in exploring the obscene images on the website (Zuchora-Walske 14). Conclusion Internet censorship has attracted much controversy. The proponents of censorship argue that it limits the spread of child pornography and safeguards the national security secrets. In addition, internet censorship is useful in safeguarding individual privacy and curtailing the spread of negative speech. On the other hand, critics of censorship argue that it is an infringement of freedom of speech and expression. In addition, censuring the internet will hinder innovation, research and access to new creative ideas that are essential in knowledge generation. Works cited: Day, Nancy. Censorship, or freedom of expression. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications. 2001. Russell, Jesse and Cohn, Ronald. Internet censorship. London: Wiley. 2012. Zuchora-Walske, Christine. Internet censorship: protecting citizens or trampling freedom. Minneapolis: Twenty-First Century Books. 2008. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Internet censorship Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words”, n.d.)
Internet censorship Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/information-technology/1468902-internet-censorship
(Internet Censorship Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
Internet Censorship Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words. https://studentshare.org/information-technology/1468902-internet-censorship.
“Internet Censorship Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/information-technology/1468902-internet-censorship.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Issue of Internet Censorship

Chinese Influence Regarding Telecommunications

Managing Capability: MENA Telecom Word Count: 3,329 Aims & Objectives The aim and objective stated herein is that MENA Telecom is a Bahrain telecommunications company that was founded in the internet age.... Just as the printing press changed the way books, and thus knowledge, were disseminated, the internet has also had a large impact on the way people communicate in this age.... The youngest among the different forms of media present in this time, the internet has rapidly evolved into one of the most popular media that has changed the way people all over the world share information....
13 Pages (3250 words) Essay

Explaining an Ongoing Controversy Regarding the Freedom of Expression

From the paper "Explaining an Ongoing Controversy Regarding the Freedom of Expression" it is clear that internet censorship, therefore, poses some questions in terms of distinguishing between unacceptable and acceptable freedom of expression and speech.... In that regard, this paper aims at explaining an ongoing controversy regarding the freedom of expression and the First Amendment in terms of news media on music and censorship and internet censorship, the argument being whether censorship is essential in maintaining moral standards....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Morals Problem Related to Censorship

The object of analysis for the purpose of this paper "Morals Problem Related to censorship" is censorship that has always been a hot topic of debate as many people are for, as well as against, limiting the ability of what can be said or shown in television, radio, theaters, and libraries.... censorship is the "Policy of restricting the public expression of ideas, opinions, conceptions, and impulses, which have or are believed to have the capacity to undermine the governing authority or the social and moral order which that authority considers itself bound to protect"....
9 Pages (2250 words) Research Paper

Issue of the Internet Freedom

One of the benefits of internet freedom exists in different sectors of the economy especially business organizations.... From all these benefits of internet freedom, there is the facilitation of knowledge expansion in and out of the education sector (Christine 55).... The author of the current research paper "issue of the Internet Freedom" highlights that Internet freedom refers to the unrestricted access to information present on the internet....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Internet Censorship

The advocates of internet censorship promote that this is the only way to protect citizens from the malevolent crimes that abound the internet.... The paper "internet censorship" highlights that the important bottom-line is to make the world wide web safer to all internet users and to translate this security into the real world by not allowing the influences and the dictates of the internet content to be perpetuated.... And the debate about internet censorship has ensued....
9 Pages (2250 words) Coursework

Comparison of the media systems between USA and China

In both countries although the methods of how censorship is undertaken differ.... In this paper emphasis would be laid on the differences of media systems between the United States and China by examining the different types of media systems including internet, Newspaper and Broadcasting.... There are different types of media systems including newspaper, television, radio, and the internet.... It is a flow of information running throughout the society in a form of print, visual and audio mediums known as newspaper (newsletters, magazines and tabloids), television, radio and the internet....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

How the Irish States Efforts to Censor Publications Compare With Trends in Interwar Europe

From the paper "How the Irish State's Efforts to Censor Publications Compare With Trends in Interwar Europe" it is clear that censorship by the government is not a thing of the past.... censorship, whether it is the kind that was seen in the interwar period in Ireland or the kind that was seen in the rest of Europe, cannot be effective in achieving the kind of things that it is intended to achieve.... as a result, the committee reviewed proposals from the public and organizations and then developed deliberated on the proposal that led to the creation of the censorship of Publications Board (Ireland)2....
15 Pages (3750 words) Coursework

Increasing Censorship on the Internet

The paper "Should There be Greater censorship of the Internet?... The paper "Should There be Greater censorship of the Internet?... The resolution was backed even by China, a country that is infamous for online speech censorship.... he censorship is more pronounced in some of the Middle East and Asian countries that have either totalitarian or dictatorial regimes.... om (2013) that impose censorship one way or the other....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us