Should governments censor material on the internet? [ENDS 27/06/2010]

[Grig]

Should governments censor material on the internet?

Ends: 27/06/2010

The internet is THE tool of the 21st century. We cannot live without the internet, whether it is for leisure of work. Through the internet we can easily distribute large quantities of information for quite a minimal price. It is continuing to involve, providing us useful information and connecting with people from right across the world. Most countries do not censor any information, making it a true symbol of 'freedom'. Some argue that any form of censorship will remove this freedom, as turn into some sort of state controlled Socialistic regime. Also, nowadays ISP's are good at detecting such harmful content and getting it removed, thus some argue whether there is actually a need.

However, another argument is saying that governments need to step up and provide more control over content viewed within the internet. This is due to the fact that not all information that we find over the net is of use, in contrast, it is quite harmful. For example, we can find things such as child pornography or bomb making techniques. There is also a lot of truly offensive material floating around such as hardcore pornography and extreme racial hatred, which would have been simply unacceptable in other forms of the media such as books etc.

Now, onto the debate question of whether you think that government censorship of the internet would be a positive thing, in order to protect people from some of the harmful webpages out there.

[Bun]

obviously there should be censorship over child pornography and terrorism stuff, but sometimes it's not always serious and it's said in jest so it would be hard.

i think it was 2003 when the US surpreme court struck down the communications decency act which made pornography illegal cos they said it was against freedom of speech lol.

[Camy]

I think to an extent it should be yes.
Obviously they should be blocking child porn, terrorism groups, and I think 'shock sites' or whatever they're called. As there is alot of sick stuff on the internet, that people can't justify being there.
I don't think it would make sense for them to try and block all porn sites, as if I remember reading correctly, for every normal website there's like 10 porn sites lol.

[Becca]

I think they should, but not going crazy. Like cyber bullying, on facebook, bebo, myspace whatever you go on should be full of report buttons and instead of just reading the report and doing nothing, actually do something, like track the person down. Obviously only with proof that the person has done it. Child porn should be totally check up on and sites that are for adults, but what children easily get onto. Instead of just saying "if you're not ... then don't click on enter site". Kids are obviously going to enter the site, so they should sort that out somehow.

By going overboard, they shouldn't end up filtering every rude/bad rude you can think of. Just the obvious ones. I don't know, just not going too far? :S

[Hitman]

No filters at all. Go after those that break the law.

[Nemo]

I agree with child porn n bomb making, stuff that could actually cause a lot of damage, but stuff like extreme racial hatred (aslong as its just expressing their views, not plans :p) i dont. As much as i am against racism, i dont think it should be blocked. Its a freedom of speech and if they block that then they could just continue to block more and more as then the whole thing just becomes censored.

[-:Undertaker:-]

No filters at all. Go after those that break the law.

I agree.

The idea of somehow controlling the internet is just as delusional as the idea that governments can tackle drug usage and prostitution - the fact is they are uncontrollable and that money would be better spent elsewhere, such as tracking down the people who make these videos, harbour children and so forth. The videos are already made, thousands of people probably own them and for every site you close down, somebody can make another ten in a few hours. In short; no, governments should not censor the internet nor should they censor any opinion or view.

[dbgtz]

No, were in debt enough without having to spend more for people to start tackling it and eventually wasting time.

[Swastika]

No; like alot of you have said - track down the people uploading videos like child pornography and other hideous things.

[GommeInc]

No, they shouldn't. Anything like porn or viruses is strictly down to the individual, if they do not like it then it is their problem, seeing as they can filter it themselves or take other precautions - targetting everyone is wrong :/ Child porn is already looked into anyway, seeing that's illegal

Not sure what to make on illegal downloading though - the supplier is wrong, but the one downloading may not neccesarily be evil, even though they have the choice :/