Internet Censorship and Freedom of Press Right essay
The introduction of censorship in internet raises the problem of the open access of individuals to information and the freedom of mass media. Therefore, the current debate on the necessity of the introduction and enhancement of censorship in internet is unnecessary and dangerous for basic human rights of users. This is why the current study focuses on the problem of censorship and internet.
Thesis statement: the development of internet raises new threats and challenges but the introduction of the government censorship over internet contradicts to basic human rights and primarily violates the freedom of press right because censorship will limit the access of the public to information, while the public should have the right to know everything to prevent the misuse of power by the government and other actions of the government that may be harmful for public interests.
2 Reasons for the introduction of internet censorship
2.1 Key issues which are relevant today and may affect people now and in the future.
2.1.1 The progress of technology creates numerous precedents and problems in regard to the observation of human rights. The development of online technologies contributes to the emergence of new problems, such as the problem of the identity theft, information breaches, misuse of information technologies to get access to the private information of users.
2.1.2 Many issues related to the violation of the copyright law online are among major concerns that raise the pro-censorship debate. The development of internet opened the way for audio- and video-records sharing, including music and films and other audio-visual products that were protected by copyright laws and legal norms. As a result, owners of copyright and intellectual property rights suffered from substantial losses caused by such misusing of their property.
2.1.3 Numerous cases of unethical behavior of users online is another reason for the development of censorship to limit the violation of ethical norms. For instance, the emergence of online pornography is offensive in regard to the existing legal and ethical norms but often sexually explicit content may be available freely to all users, including children. In such a situation, the censorship turns out to be very important in terms of the prevention of possible risks of the violation of ethical norms of users.
2.1.4 Mass media also report on numerous cases of child abuse online committed by predators. Children are vulnerable to the impact of predators online because they cannot identify users, whom they communicate with online. Internet creates ample opportunities for predators and other online offenders to misuse internet to create false identities and to reach their ends.
2.1.5 The idea of the introduction and enhancement of censorship in relation to internet naturally emerges from the existing threats and risks associated with the uncontrollable use of internet.
2.2 Government censorship can protect users
2.2.1 Government can introduce censorship and allow law enforcement agencies to conduct the investigation of cases that may be dangerous for the public or individuals
2.2.2 Government has more tools to maintain the censorship effectively compared to public or non-public organizations. Therefore, there are presumably no alternatives to the government censorship in internet.
3 Negative effects of internet censorship introduced and maintained by the government
3.1 Consequences of such censorship are negative and dangerous for democratic societies. The introduction and enhancement of online censorship by the government will raise another problem related to the violation of basic human rights and freedom of press.
3.2 There is a risk of misusing the power by the authorities to ‘filter’ information flow via internet. As a result, the government can have excessive control over users and information flow. Such control is dangerous since the public may have limited access to certain information, while the government will play with information flows to meet its interests or interest groups supporting the government.
3.3 People using internet turn out to be under the surveillance of the government, since the information is censored and, therefore, controlled and studied by law enforcement agencies.
3.4 Censorship is the violation of the privacy right along with the right of freedom of press.
4 Alternatives to the government censorship
4.1 The development of software aiming at the enhancement of the individual information safety. For instance, users can set parameters of their information security using the software developed specifically for the protection of information of users. In such a way, they can determine which threats they want to protect themselves from
4.2 The development of secure networks is another way to protect private information and avoid information security threats. In fact, today, many companies have already started implementing such solutions to secure their networks. In such a situation, the government censorship becomes unnecessary because secured network can protect users from numerous threats and risks associated with information breaches and other issues related to the information security.
4.3 Individual responsibility of users is particularly important in terms of the protection of users. In fact, information security problems emerge mainly because users are careless and do not pay much attention to the problem of their information security. As a result, when users take responsibility and are careful, they may decrease the risk of information breaches. For instance, users should not provide their private information to unreliable websites, but many users do it that leads to information breaches, identity thefts and other problems.
4.4 Corporate responsibility is also important because companies developing and providing IT and online services should act responsibly. They should be aware that they may expose their customers to risks and threats associated with the violation of information security. In this regard, the corporate responsibility could have become an effective tool that could have helped to secure internet making government censorship unnecessary. In addition, companies offering reliable information security services could attract more customers seeking for secure online services.
5 Conclusion
Thus, the introduction of the government censorship that will monitor and control internet and information flow transmitted via internet will have a negative impact on the society because it violates basic human rights, such as the privacy right or the freedom of press right. This is why the government should refuse from the introduction of censorship in internet because the public should have the right to have access to the information, while the government has no right to decide what people should know and what they should not. Instead, people should have the free access to the information and they may choose how to secure themselves from possible threats, for instance, with the help of special information security software.
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