Ethical Issues On Internet Censorship

Most who argue against censorship believe that it goes against a person’s right to freedom of speech. Within this argument, most people wonder “just when, and on what grounds, the state is justified in using its coercive powers to limit the freedom of individuals” (West). When thinking in this mindset, individuals tend to antagonize the government, because they come to believe that it suppresses their individuality and fail to consider the fact that it unites people who share its similar beliefs. As a result of the recent spike in technology and use of the Internet, the public must continually alter its definition of freedom of speech and expression. As the media offers more and more methods of communication, many of which are relatively self-regulated by users, more methods of expression develop, which may render other forms of expression obsolete, or even socially unacceptable (Qazi). Without understanding how much freedom of speech one is entitled to, one may never hope to defend that freedom if it ever comes under attack. Because technology develops so quickly that one definition will hardly suffice for a short period of time, people will find it increasingly difficult to understand how much right to expression they are allowed and will therefore fight for any and all that they may attain, never considering the benefits of censorship in the slightest. In America especially, people idealize the idea of democracy, the investigation of truth, and independence (Fieser). In

In the modern world people operate their businesses and practically live their lives through the Internet, the use of social media, and easily obtainable information. Although easy access to nearly everything and everyone has many advantages, there are plenty disadvantages that accompany social media and easily obtainable information. If the world only knew how becoming aware of the rewards and drawbacks of social media and the ability to access information with ease people may change how they practice and consume it, especially when understanding the need to further question the reliability of their sources. It is important to understand the advantages,

Imagine a place where you have access to anything and everything one could want. Some would say that is only existent in a utopia, and some would say that describes the Internet. Many adults go on to the net and access pornographic material that would be unsuitable for children. This is called cyberporn. The controversy lies in the fact that children are accessing these materials also. Government, activist groups, and concerned parents are fighting to regulate obscene material found over the Internet to protect children. The first amendment is the only thing protecting adults from losing their rights to obtain pornographic or indecent material on the net. Under the first amendment the government must not regulate cyberporn. Online sex

Did you check your Facebook today? How about your E-Mail? If not, you may be missing something even now! In today’s fast-paced world of instant information, if you aren’t on the internet, you’re almost certainly uninformed. Networks and the internet make up an alarmingly large part of our life. We get our news (both personal and public) via the internet, we talk to friends, shop for things, pay our bills… but how vast is the monster that does all of this? This question, along with many others, is essential in the debate that rages on today: censoring the net. There are governments, not excluding our own, who believe in to some extent controlling who can access certain websites, and which are available to the general public. The very idea

This paper addresses whether we should censor or block access to websites with controversial material. It looks at the issue from several sides: The relevant US laws that are in place, how censorship is used at the university and corporate levels, how other countries are attempting censorship, and finally what I feel about the topic.

The Internet’s continuous advancement has produced the need for an on-going debate on whether or not the government should have the power to control the Internet. The idea of the government having control over what each country’s citizens can see on the Internet is also called Internet Censorship. Internet Censorship “is the control or suppression of the publishing of, or access to information on the Internet.” Internet Censorship varies from country to country depending on each country’s current usage and philosophy of how it should be used. (toptenreviews.com) Currently, there are ten countries including

The word censor comes from the Latin term censere which means to appraise, value, judge ("Online Etymology Dictionary”). According to Wikipedia and Dictionary.com censorship is defined as a practice of filtering the media and suppressing the unwanted parts.

Should the government be allowed to go through anyones phone at any time? A main issue in the debate of privacy vs. security is internet censorship. American citizens are currently debating whether the government should be allowed to go through peoples personal devices. Legally, according to the constitution, the government has the right to a search warrant. This means they have to have a legitimate reason for their search, and the court must grant them a warrant. According to the Supreme Court it is against the law for the government to intrude; they cannot show up to houses unannounced (CNN.com). On the other side it is a great resource for the government to have control because it makes life safer. There is not enough police officers to catch all criminals. For example, cameras, the government has set up light cameras to catch drivers from running red lights.(Ron Fridell 24-25) The controversy of privacy of personal devices is crucial because people are debating on if the government should see citizens personal information. While some people believe that censorship is necessary and should be allowed, others believe censorship violates American rights.

There has been much debate about the commonwealth’s and the Australian communications and media authority’s campaign to give the Internet censorship that is not required. For reasons such as freedom to talk about ideas, to talking to people around the world. In china there are estimated to be around 30 thousand police surfing the web, covering up websites the government does not want you looking up. Things such as just searching up “human rights” will bring you to a page that says you cannot access, and this is mainly the cause of communism.

In today’s society an innumerable amount of discussions, disputes, and altercations have begun based on the broad matter of censorship and its many components. Censorship is commonly described as the process of controlling the information and ideas that circulate throughout a society and its inhabitants. Much of the world’s censoring transpires through the world wide web, popularly known as the internet, and is generally inflicted by the government and other powerful corporations who “contend with the issue on numerous occasions” (“Topic Overview” 1). Due to the topic being so controversial, both proponents and opponents accompany the longstanding argument. Those in favor of censoring the usage of

In the Age of Information or the Era of the Internet, everyone is connected. Everyone carries around a computer in their pocket with more than enough computing power to send a man to the moon. Invisibly, data is constantly flowing. Virtually everything we interact with in today’s world has one thing in common: the internet. It plays a huge role in everything from sharing pictures with friends to the election. It is widely accessible and houses a wealth of information. Anyone should be able to access the network of data that is the internet. However, just as this Swiss Army Knife of innovation can be applied towards the common good, it can also be limited and used nefariously—an action that manifests itself in the form of censorship. Internet

The internet is the most important platform for ideas and thoughts to grow and spread, making it substantial. It’s important to keep it free and open for anyone without having to worry about being prioritized or shut out completely. The FCC has overstepped and has made it seem like safety is their main objective with the new ruling, but in reality its for control and sides with big businesses over the rest of society. The government should not interfere with the internet anymore then they are now, Anything more would give them too much control. Internet being regulated like a utility is bad business, Europeans who use internet being regulated is on average 30% slower than our current speeds. Not only will speeds be negatively affected but

These days the internet has become an essential part to living for almost everyone but one of the controversial topics that people bring up is that whether or not the government should regulate information on the internet. Both sides have valid points which form a reasonable argument. Some people would say that they need to because of the dangers lurking around in the cyber world but the reasons for why the government shouldn’t regulate the Internet outnumber the reasons for why they should. The federal government should not regulate or censor information on the internet because doing so violates the first amendment and citizen’s right to privacy, degrades the educational value of the web, prevents the promotion and facilitation of

The freedom of speech that was possible on the Internet could now be subjected to governmental approvals. For example, China is attempting to restrict political expression, in the name of security and social stability. It requires users of the Internet and electronic mail (e-mail) to register, so that it may monitor their activities. In the United Kingdom, state secrets and personal attacks are off limits on the Internet. Laws are strict and the government is extremely interested in regulating the Intern et with respect to these issues.10 Laws intended for other types of communication will not necessarily apply in this medium.

Some people wonder who came up with the idea of internet censorship. Other people want to know which countries use it. Some ponder over the idea of what really is internet censorship. Internet censorship is controlling what can be viewed, and which sites can be used on the internet. Some things about internet censorship are countries that use it, and who started the idea of it.