On Censorship

Considering the power given to us by the internet, it seems only natural that such a resource should be policed. We live in a world where the information we view is the product of our peers. Thus their creations are instilled with a slice of their mindset. If extreme freedom of speech is monitored or policed in our society, then the same should happen online.

Countries use censorship for many reasons. They include reducing dissent and containing moral values. Especially on the internet, where moderation is not global and present, the images and content can be seen as a detriment to society. Murray (2006) states that countries are willing to control and regulate the internet to protect the countries ‘common’ values. Examples of these countries like China and Vietnam use the internet crackdown to protect its state interests. Other countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran control the internet for their religious ideals (Coz 2008). The controls are in place due to the otherworldly nature of the internet.

The wild west is a valid metaphor for the internet. Law and order is not rampant, your rules of conduct vary differently to everyone elses. The reason they vary is because the internet doesnt fall under a sole state soveriegn. The rules of one country cannot stop a server of 'contraband' that resides in another. Barlow (citied in Murray 2006) argues that the internet is a sanctuary where the laws of the world does not have weight. That is moderately true, but when it is nearly impossible to prevent child pornography on the internet because its server is in Vietnam, what is a government meant to do. This rings true for other sections online. Civil dissent websites get pulled down in China, their ringleaders rounded up. If in normal life creating civil unrest is an act of treason and civil disorder, is punished by law, why shouldn't these sites be controlled or moderated?

The state powers in turn will start to clamp down on its own country. We see it in the news, cyber dissidents being caught, and even on television with that creep nabbing show in America. Essentially free speech is curtailed but for a greater good, the protection of society from the evils online is a prize and the restriction of the internet is a small price to pay.

References

Coz, C 2008. The 2008 Golden Scissors of cyber-championship, Reporters Without Borders

Murray, L 2006. Censors come calling, Technology-Smh.com.au, Septermber 23 2006