A growing concern in the global eye has become Internet censorship. At first glance, one who doesn't necessarily understand what Internet censorship is may be confused about what exactly is being censored and how it is being censored. They may think it means companies who own websites are removing inappropriate content from their pages. On the contrary, the concept of Internet censorship is something rather different. Governments in foreign countries are going onto the Internet and removing and blocking content they do not want their peoples to see. Whether it be political, sexual, matter of opinion, or something else, these governments are cutting content from the web as they see fit. How does Internet censorship impact those directly affected by it? How does it affect others indirectly?
As Internet censorship becomes more prevalent on the World Wide Web, an increasing amount of research and documentation is being conducted on the topic. Much of the research agrees, resulting with the same findings. Some, however, ends up with somewhat similar, but not identical results. In conducting research on this topic, I have discovered there are different points of view on this topic which I hope to explore and dissect. I feel this question is very important in today's digital age, as it has been defined. Many people don't understand that such blocking and removal of content is even occurring, let alone what rights and liberties are being impeded upon. Many find it difficult to even think about their content being removed from the Internet, myself included. Taking part in blogs is a way I exercise my freedom of speech and I cannot think of what I would feel if something I wrote was removed or blocked from the Internet, either in this country or elsewhere. I hope to seek out some who have had their content censored in some form from the Internet. Part of why I feel this research paper is so important is because I want to explore what type of content is being censored and why it was deemed unfit by some but not by all.
Internet censorship can be presented in many different forms; some are direct and clear while others may be harder to see to the untrained eye. One form of direct censorship involves blocking websites based on search criteria. The concept of keyword blocking occurs when words found in a website's URL are seen as unfit by a governing body. It can also be implemented if a search were conducted using any number of blacklisted terms, or a set of terms the government doesn't feel the general public should be searching for on the Web. Another concept of Internet censorship relies more on filtration than on removal of content. Some companies who provide internet search services may make agreements with governments in those countries to omit websites that contain specific content from their search results. This doesn't directly block any user from finding content, but it does make it more difficult to find. The most direct form of this type of censorship occurs when persons in charge of regulating Internet content directly remove websites with illegal or inappropriate content on them. There are, however, more indirect forms of internet censorship. (Open Net Interactive)
Sometimes word of mouth is enough to encourage self-censorship on the Internet. A website's regulator may be encouraged to remove some content from their website after hearing how a similar website with similar content was forced to censor or was removed entirely. Another form of indirect Internet censorship may come from the users who post content themselves. They may be deterred from posting content based on the fear of legal intervention, lack of social acceptance based on the content, or even intimidation from governing bodies. Those who refuse to obey the laws of posting content online may be arrested and/or fined, not only as punishment but also to be made an example of for others to view and learn from. The idea of the government monitoring content on the internet has been a strong deterrent over the years to those who feared the consequences that may come along with visiting sites with or posting controversial content. (Open Net Interactive)
There are many different ways in which these forms of Internet filtering can occur. One of the more common forms is mandated by the government itself upon the Internet Service Providers (ISP) using any number of the forms of filtering mentioned previously. Another form of censorship may occur upon the Institutional level, which can include schools, institutions, companies and government agencies. Filtering at this level may be implemented to prevent personal use of computers in the workplace. A more personal level of this type of filtering includes the use of filtering software that is installed on personal computers. These types of Internet filtering have been used in the past by many governments in the various forms mentioned above along with others as well.
The idea of Internet censorship may seem to be an issue that has only come into the public eye in the past few years. While it has become more and more prevalent recently, Internet censorship has been around for quite some time. Internet censorship was first considered in 1995 following the tragedy of the Oklahoma City bombing. Many grew concerned with the amount of information available on creating explosives and sites containing extremist views. Soon thereafter, in February 1996, Congress passed the Communications Decency Act (CDA) as a part of the larger Telecommunications Act. In June of that year, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the CDA as an "unreasonable infringement on free speech" (Who Supports Internet Censorship?). Other legislative attempts have been made to censor or filter the content that appears on the Internet. In October 1998, Congress passed the Child Online Protection Act (COPA) which required the publishers of pornographic and other material unfit for viewing by minors to impose some form of age verification system. In December 2000, Congress passed the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) which required public libraries along with secondary and primary school systems to install Internet filtering software or risk losing Federal funding (Who Supports Internet Censorship?). It is clear that multiple efforts to censor and filter the Internet have been made here in the United States, with more changes likely to come (The Internet Censorship FAQ).
Internet censorship and filtering isn't necessarily always used on a governmental level to protect people like you may at first think. As mentioned, the CIPA is used to protect minors (persons under the age of 18 years old) from content that may be considered "harmful". While many parents argue that the best way to monitor what their children are viewing online, they also understand that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to always be standing watchfully over their child's shoulder. Parents are now beginning to turn to Internet filtering software of their own for their home computers. Many of these programs give the user the capability of adjusting the settings to allow or permit specific types of content. Internet filters aren't just used in the common public school or library. Rather, they are used in many different settings, such as the common workplace. At first, you may be confused, wondering what it is that grown adults need protecting from on the Internet. The filters used in the workplace are used to protect the company and all its employees by limiting what it is that an employee can do online. If a worker were to use their work computer to view material inappropriate for the workplace and this were to be discovered by a fellow employee, one may feel they are working in an environment that is hostile to them, which could ultimately lead to legal actions such as lawsuits. (How Internet Censorship Works)
Many Americans may find it a surprise that the types of censorship and filtering that have been mentioned previously occur in other parts of the world. American's are so accustomed to their rights, liberties and freedoms in the country they live in, they may find it difficult to even ponder a lifestyle where these are not always guaranteed or even available, depending on where one lives. This is not to say that American Internet is completely free from government control and surveillance. The use of Internet wiretaps is not a new topic, though it is sometimes given little recognition in the headlines. Under the Bush Administration, reports of wiretapping of major Internet connection points have come under fire. When it came time, the government moved to dismiss lawsuits brought against them, while some district courts refuse to dismiss the cases. If the allegations were proved true, there would be factual evidence to prove that the United States held and maintained the largest Internet surveillance group. Efforts are being made by the Bush Administration to alter the current Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act (CALCA) to require Internet providers to allow wiretap access to law enforcement agencies on electronic communications networks. This is not, of course, the only example of Internet censorship and filtering in the modern American society. Many other cases of Internet censorship have occurred in the past and will continue to be a common controversy in this country. (Open Net Interactive)
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