Internet censorship is definitely one of the most controversial topics not only in America, but in the whole world. We are all aware that a significant group of people, perhaps even some of us today are of the view that this practice should be passed into law. Being of a contrary view, I most certainly understand most of the reasons put across in support of such unilateral measures. I however, remain steady in my opinion that internet censoring should and must never be legalized. Perhaps, that a few of us, if not all, are of the same opinion also. Anyway, please allow me to explain to us all why I subscribe to this view.
It is evident beyond any reasonable doubt that the internet is a vast and effective field of information. As a result we are all able to obtain whatever information that we desire to acquire at our fingertips. We study and gather information for our assignments from the internet. The internet is not only vital to those of us who study computer science or basic programming and web design. Long gone are the days when knowledge was confined in stacks of handwritten books, encyclopedias, journals and experiment reports. The internet has taken over; every one relies more on soft copies than on hard copies. Virtually every piece of written material can be found in the World Wide Web. Who among us enjoys going through a library? Therefore, it is clear that internet censoring would unfairly reduce the scope of what we can learn.
Most people confess that the internet has enabled them to exercise their freedom of speech and free association more. All of us here are first witnesses to that. We frequently connect with new people daily, share stories, discuss real life topics of mutual interest and post new material through social sites on the internet. Why would we want to jeopardize such freedom? I doubt that any one of us even in their weirdest imaginations would. We all want to cling to this sweet freedom!
We may not be openly proud of the television, the radio or even the radio, but we owe to them a great deal of credit. We want them to keep informing us on what is happening. It is the media that informs us of national and world politics, economic trends, celebrities, new films in the market, entertainment events among other kind of news. We may not rely on the media for all kind of news, but we definitely depend on the media for bits of information regardless of what we are individually interested in. If internet use was to be curtailed, we obviously would not be able to keep abreast with what happens daily as much as we have been able to in the recent past and at the present. Or would we?
Censoring the internet would not only curtail learning alone, it would also restrict the flexibility with which ideas are moving around the world. The world is full of creative ideas which originate with people all over the world. Unlike before the internet era when ideas spread only as easily as people could move from one place to another, people are able to share ideas from one corner of the world with other people living all over the world from the comfort of their homes or offices. This ideas are the very foundation of production in all economic sectors be it agriculture, manufacturing, software development, tourism, music and entertainment industry. The list is long.
Majority of people who support government control over the internet often describe the vulnerability with which the internet exposes us to moral degradation especially through the diffusion of pornographic material over the web. They assert that access to such material has a viral effect on our community. They even suggest that due to massive exposure to obscene material, sex harassment cases, immorality and levels of sexually transmitted diseases are and will grow to uncontrollable levels that will supposedly lead to crumbling of our society’s moral fabric. However, an honest close look at this projection will reveal the fallacious nature of such arguments. Even when it is true that explicit obscene material affect our moral behaviors, there are certain moral statics that hold the society’s moral fabric intact. Moreover, parents have a responsibility towards their children; to guide them on what to avoid in a lovingly manner. It is love that awakens obedience and adherence; compulsion and restriction have the direct opposite results. Otherwise, the rest of us who are legally adults can choose to choose what is right.
Proponents of internet censorship have also argued that adoption of certain prohibitory policies on the internet would help keep sensitive government information secret from the general public and from enemies of our country. On the surface, the rationale behind this kind of reasoning sounds very sensible. It is puzzling though; why would a Democratic government want to conceal any information from its citizens? Is there anything really legitimate worth hiding? And as for enemies of our country, how would ordinary citizens, access sensitive military information which is securely protected by the federal defence? This also, is clearly a lame excuse. It offers no real reason as to why the internet should be censored.
In conclusion, it is true that the internet can be harmful; it can be used to obtain illegal information, viewing pornographic material, character defamation, online forgeries, hate speech and hacking. However, the internet has enabled humanity to massively advance in economics, politics, art, technology, sport, infrastructure, socialization and most importantly it has made communication faster and more effective. It would do planet earth and its residents more harm than good, exercising restrictions on the internet. The internet is like a fishing that brings humanity together so that together they can pool their mental resources together for mutual progress.
References
http://wiki. answers. com/Q/Pros and cons of internet censorship Freedom on the Net 2011, Freedom House. Retrieved 1 September 2011
"Internet access is a fundamental right", BBC News, 8 March 2010
Chadwick, Andrew (2009). Rout ledge handbook of Internet politics.
Kadie, Carl M. Computers and Academic Freedom: Sex, Censorship, and the Internet.
