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Internet Censorship. Flora Wan Computer Science 99 Winter 2000. What can be found on the net?. www.newdream.net/bored/messages/7699.html www.dmoz.org/Computers/Hacking/Cracking/ www.asiadragons.com/indonesia/forum/messages/9486.html Other examples: Pornography, illegal software, etc.
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Internet Censorship Flora Wan Computer Science 99 Winter 2000
What can be found on the net? www.newdream.net/bored/messages/7699.html www.dmoz.org/Computers/Hacking/Cracking/ www.asiadragons.com/indonesia/forum/messages/9486.html • 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 (www.antionline.com) • 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 • www.karlin.mff.cuni.cz/~mkec6264/suicide.htm
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