Internet Censorship Flora Wan Computer Science 99 Winter 2000

What can be found on the net?  Other examples: Pornography, illegal software, etc.

The Ethical Issues  Columbine Shooting incident  Heaven’s Gate UFO cult  Children and pornography  Encouraging hate and violence Columbine Shooting Heaven’s Gate Cult

What is done about it now?  Administrators block web sites –University of Pittsburgh (  Internet filtering software –Cyber Patrol, Net Nanny, SurfWatch

How well does it work?  The Internet Filter Assessment Project –Committee of Librarians –Objectionable web sites found 78% of the time even when filter is used to its full capacity –Valid information blocked 35% of the time

Sites that have been blocked  Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention, Inc.  Breast Cancer Legislation page  Emergency Contraceptive Pills  Stop Prisoner Rape  SuperBowl XXX  Mars Exploration  The Starr Report  Hotmail

What about “Freedom of Speech”?  The First Amendment –Congress shall make no law... prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press...  Opportunity for freedom of speech in other politically repressed countries

What is different about the net?  Unlike traditional media, the internet has no regulation on who can broadcast material  Information goes beyond the borders –

What can be done about it?  Cut down on illegal activities –Child pornography –Pirated Software  Individuals should be more aware of Information that can be found  Educate children

Conclusion  Internet content should not be censored: –1. Censoring blocks valuable information –2. Free Speech –3. Infeasible to regulate the World Wide Web