I received a 5/10 on my topic focus aspect of my research proposal. I think my abstract was too vague, and didn't describe exactly what I intend to research. My research idea came to me after reading the article explaining that the Obama Administration is requiring prospective employees to provide a full copy of everything they have ever posted on the internet (blogs, personal websites, etc.) This made me feel that our government is trying to limit our freedom of speech (including internet posts). I wanted to expand on this particular example of censorship by including television censors, and limitations on our freedoms we are granted as U.S. citizens in the Constitution.
Hannah Gutowski
English 202
TR 12:15-1:45
Fall 2009
Abstract:
My research paper will focus on governmental censorship. Through research I will determine whether I, personally, feel that governmental censorship has gone too far. I plan to read articles discussing both the positive and negative aspects and consequences of censorship. Through fieldwork, I will determine how a randomly selected number of U.S. citizens feel regarding the level of current governmental censorship. Has governmental censorship gone too far? Do I predict in the future for censorship to increase or decrease? What are the negative as well as positive aspects of censorship? What is an appropriate level of censorship?
Introduction:
As Americans, we look to the United States Constitution to grant our basic rights. The first amendment of the Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." This amendment granted to us in the Bill of Rights, enables us the freedom to express our thoughts and our opinions through our speech and writing. Why should the information we post by any different? Internet censorship is defined as the control or suppression of the publishing or accessing of information on the internet. The legal issues regarding internet censorship are similar to offline censorship. Though the government may argue that censorship is for our own benefit and safety, some may disagree. Does governmental censorship benefit us as citizens or the government itself?
Another amendment written in the Constitution may also be of discussion regarding internet censorship. The fourth amendment states, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." To keep up with the time, this amendment may need to be modified to include the protection from the search and seizure of computers as well as information citizen's post of the internet. When the Bill of Rights was written in 1791, the authors of the Constitution were certainly not considering technological advances as far as personal computers and the internet.
Fieldwork Statement:
For my fieldwork research I plan to conduct a survey. I will sample a variety of U.S. citizens using a typed survey of approximately 10-15 questions. I will ask the participants to record their age, gender, and educational background. I plan to ask family members, colleagues of family members, peers in my classes, and friends. I will not exclude any U.S. citizen from taking the survey based on age or educational background. I will compare the results and take into account the differences and similarities based on age, gender, and educational background.
Sample Questions:
· How familiar are you with the rights granted to you in the United States Constitution?
· Does the freedom you are granted in the United States impact your decision to live here rather than another country (with less freedom)?
· How cautious are you regarding personal information you release onto the internet?
· Would you apply for a job that required you to provide a copy of all information you have posted on the internet? (Including personal blogs)
Source Review:
Against Governmental Censorship:
· Population Action International
Healthy Families Healthy Planet
Article:
http://www.populationaction.org/Press_Room/Viewpoints_and_Statements/2008/04_04_Censorship.shtml
· The Korea Times
Article:
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/10/123_54144.html
Pros & Con's of Government Censorship:
· The Triangle.org
Drexel University Student Newspaper
Article:
· Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship
Importance of Governmental Censorship:
· World Socialist Website
International Committee of the Fourth International
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/oct2001/demo-o13.shtml
Working Bibliography:
Theirer, Adam. "Individual Liberty, Free Markets, and Peace". CATO Institute. 11/5/2009 <http://www.cato.org/tech/tk/040329-tk.html>.
College Publisher, "Role of Government in Censorship Overbearing". The Triangle.org. 11/5/2009 <http://media.www.thetriangle.org/media/storage/paper689/news/2005/04/29/EdOp/Role-Of.Government.In.Censorship.Overbearing-944151.shtml>.
Rasch, Mark. "Human rights and wrongs online". Security Focus. 11/5/2009 <http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/392>.
Alvarez, Mark. "Caught Between Corporate and Government Censorship". Telier. 11/5/2009 <http://www.atelier-us.com/e-business-and-it/article/caught-between-corporate-and-governmental-censorship>.
Panke, Mary. "Government Censorship: No Joke". Population Action. 11/5/2009 <http://www.populationaction.org/Press_Room/Viewpoints_and_Statements/2008/04_04_Censorship.shtml>.
"Censorship." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 9 Nov 2009, 10:50 UTC. 10 Nov 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Censorship&oldid=324819786>.
"Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 9 Nov 2009, 10:28 UTC. 10 Nov 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution&oldid=324817928>.
"First Amendment to the United States Constitution." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 10 Nov 2009, 03:37 UTC. 10 Nov 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution&oldid=324979933>.
But, Matt. "Internet Censorship". International Debate Education Association. 11/5/2009 <http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=83>.
Caithness, Ian. "Google claims that Internet censorship is the same as international trade barriers ". Helium. 11/5/2009 <http://www.helium.com/items/568997-google-claims-that-internet-censorship-is-the-same-as-international-trade>.
Topic: Governmental Censorship
Fieldwork Ideas:
I would like to give a short survey (under 10 questions) regarding personal opinions on different questions regarding governmental censorship. I want to use a wide array of ages, career backgrounds, and education levels. I will take into account the different backgrounds while comparing the results.
Focus Question: How much control should government's have regarding what personal information citizens post on the internet?
Title: Has Governmental Censorship Gone Too Far?
I. Introduction
A. Does governmental control benefit us? (our safety)
B. Or does governmental control benefit the government?
II. U.S. Government
A. Constitutional Rights
1. 1st ammendment (freedom of speech & press)
2. 4th ammendment (search & seizure)
B. "Obama aides must disclose web posts, facebook profiles." (Article)
III. Other Governments
A. "China limits web videos after adultery accusation." (Article)
B. Other countries
1. Middle East
2. Past "internet freedom"
3. More extreme
IV. Conclusion
How much control should government's have regarding what personal information citizens post on the internet?
"NPR: China Limits Web Videos After Adultery Accusation."
This article explains that China's government will only allow government-owned or government-controlled video websites. In America, this would be a violation of our constitutional rights. Where can governments draw the line between profanity and sensorship, and free speech and governmental control? What rights are given to Chinese citizens regarding a right to free speech?
Melber, Ari. "About Facebook."
I don't think people should expect things to remain private after they post them on the internet.
McCullagh, Decian. "Would-be Obama aides must disclose Web posts, Facebook profiles."
I don't think there is any problem with President Obama asking prospective employees to provide detailed information of what they have posted on the internet. Obama is trying to prevent future government scandals, by screening prospective employees ahead of time. I don't feel it is unreasonable, if someone is uncomfortable with providing this information, then they should not apply for the job. American citizens have the right to know detailed information about people that our running our country.
Obama isn't asking these prospective employees to not own guns, he is simply asking them IF they own guns, and many states you have to register your gun regardless.
How much control should the government have regarding what it's citizens post on the internet?
The article I chose to read was "How Reading is Being Reimagined," by Matthew Kirschenbaum. The article discusses how books and the process of reading is changing due to technology. For example, the article states that Google is "digitalizing" about 3,000 books every day. The author goes on the discuss the difference between reading and skimming. As I read this I realized that was exactly what I was doing. I had been skimming the article, just reading enough of it to have something to write in this blog entry. That's when I started the article over and actually took the time to read and understand it.
I don't believe "skimming" is a bad thing when it's something that's not very important to you or something that you're not interested it.
Does reading on the internet cause more "skim" reading? Or are we using the same reading techniques whether it's an article on the computer or an article in print?
The article I chose to read was "Teens and Technology" written by Amanda Lenhart, Paul Hitlin, and Mary Madden. The article discusses surveys conducted concerning teenagers and their use of technology. Statistics show that the rate of teenagers using the internet has increased 24% in the last four years. This statistic and others in the article didn't suprise me very much. The article was written in 2005, and some of the computer and other technological programs seemed already out of date. In the article they discuss text messaging and Instant Messaging as main form of communication teenagers use. Four years later, in 2009, there are newer forms of communication available that are not discussed in the article. More popular now are Facebook, Skype, and BlackBerry Messaging (BBM).
What would the statistics of teenagers on the internet be in 2009?
What other forms of communication are used amoungst teenagers?
Technological Impact
"The major advances in civilization are processes that all but wreck the societies in which they occur" (4). Hannah Gutowski
Invasion of Privacy
"I have here before me... Electrical information devices for universal, tyrannical womb-to-tomb surveillance are causing a very serious dilemma between our claim to privacy and the community's need to know" (7). Hannah Gutowski
Forms of Knowledge
"Most people find it difficult to understand purely verbal concepts. They suspect the ear; they don't trust it. In general we feel more secure when things are visible, when we can "see for ourselves" (9). Hannah Gutowski
Blog Prompt: Of all the issues, changes, and visions McLuhan shares - which seems most relevant today? Why?
I think the most relevant issue McLuhan addresses in his article is that of technology interferring with our jobs. I believe that in the near future many people will lose their jobs due to advancing technology. In my computer science class I recently learned that there are already robots with the ability to perform surgery on patients. Though technological advances may benefit society as a whole, many individuals losing their jobs will feel the consequences.
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