Internet Censorship Laws - Research Paper Example

 Internet Censorship Laws Censorship involves the measures put in place by a governments or any other legally instituted body whose effect is the prohibition of speech or publication having certain contents (Bidgoli 349). The question whether or not to introduce internet censorship laws in countries and institutions has sparked wild debates. Many of those who oppose internet censorship laws are afraid that the authorities will use them to prevent people from enjoying their freedom to access and send out information. Those who oppose such measures believe that people have the right to free flow of information. However, as this essay will prove, such reservations on the intention of internet censorship laws should not derail people from the political, social and security importance of such laws. Therefore, internet censorship laws should be applied in the necessary areas to ensure people feel safer when online. Introduction of internet censorship laws is important in the preservation of the country’s social norms. The internet has come with other social vices whose propagation should not continue unchecked. One good example of such vices is pornographic contents available in different websites. The explicit sexual content in this websites introduce children to immoral behaviuor, which they copy, and practice. Such content makes children feel that sex at a young age or outside marriage is okay. In such cases, censorship of such content is important as an effort to protect children from early exposure to sexually explicit content. Some of the internet sites use children as characters in their picture whether motion or static. Such internet websites have been used by pedophiles to advance their social vices. The websites provide an avenue for child molesters to get their victims and clients for their illegal business (Weinstein and MacEwan 347). It is not clear whether the presence of internet has increased child pornography or has only acted as an avenue for its transmission. However, Weinstein and MacEwan (347) assert that the internet has clearly increased the accessibility, volume, and range of sexually abusive images, which also includes child pornography. Censorship becomes the best options in curbing the spread of such vices therefore; there should not be opposition from anyone who stands for moral responsibility. The importance of internet censorship laws does not end with stopping the propagation of pornographic content. The censorship will also help in covering areas where hate speech propagation targeting some groups of people in society through the internet has been reported. The internet has provided many people with an avenue for making anonymous statements and valuable space for virtual communities. However, not every internet user engages in constructive dialogues, given that there are those who promote racist diatribes and other discriminatory views (Bidgol 351). Therefore, internet censorship laws help society get rid of those whose aim is to create social disharmony. There have been cases of violence against some groups in society that have originated from the internet. A good example of such internet websites is stormfront formed by white supremacists and provides an avenue for white nationalists and other racial extremists to make their views public. Such websites play a key role in the condoning and incitements of acts of discrimination and violence against a section of the population (Weinstein and MacEwan 355). In order to protect the targeted groups, it is paramount that measures to curb activities of such websites are introduced. Enactment and enforcement of laws that will end propagation of hate speech transmitted through the internet should be welcomed by all instead of facing opposition from some people as it will assure the group that is targeted for violence that their rights to live in society is protected by the government. The benefits of internet censorship laws become apparent when the government comes up with legislations that prevent sensitive information from getting to the public. The government is therefore able to protect people from information that might cause harm. Furthermore, the government can use such measures to block sites that belong to terrorist organizations and other extremist movements whose aim is to destabilize the country. Examples of internet websites that can be prevented through censorship from causing harm to society through include those that encourage people to take part in criminal activities including those with information on how one can make a bomb. Such sites pose a risk to the county’s security and therefore the population should be prevented from access them (Kizza 206). Internet censorship laws have been seen by many as government’s ploy to stop people’s determination on how they should be governed in pretext of protecting their interests. Those against the censorship claim the government does not want citizens to question activities of the officials in authority or to get information on certain wrong doings. Some countries have put in place punitive measures that limit access to information. China is a good example of countries that have been cited as having laws that infringe on the citizen’s right to information. A number of laws have been criticized as promoting high handedness, including the law criminalizing the defamation of government agencies, divulging the country’s secrets and the promotion of separatist course on the internet. Caso (71) notes the 2002 study by Harvard Law School, which highlighted Chinese government’s strategies that included blocking of internet contents covering Taiwan, Tibet, and democracy issues. Although such claims of Chinese government’s abuse of human rights using internet censorship laws are true, a country like China, which has a history of other human rights violations, is not a good example to generalize how governments use internet censorship laws. In defense of internet censorship laws Countries that have respect for the citizens’ freedom to information also respect their rights to self-determination, which is also enshrined in the constitution. Therefore, laws that censor use of the internet will not go against the constitution since it will be within the framework of existing laws. From the foregoing, the importance of internet censorship outweighs any reservation that those who oppose such measures might have. Therefore, everyone should welcome internet censorship laws as they aim at protecting the social norms, maintaining security and political stability of the country. Works Cited Bidgoli, Hossein. Handbook of Information Security, Information Warfare, Social, Legal, and International Issues and Security Foundations. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2006. Print. Caso, Frank. Censorship. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2008. Print. Kizza, Joseph Migga. Computer Network Security and Cyber Ethics. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland publishers, 2011. Print. Weinstein, Stuart, and Neil MacEwan. Electronic and Mobile Commerce Law: An Analysis of Trade, Finance, Media, and Cybercrime in the Digital Age. Hatfield, Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire Press, 2011. Print. Read More