Dr. Patterson
EN 111 07
13 November 2012
Internet Censorship Internet is one of the biggest and most used sources for, entertainment, information, and social interactions. Many Americans rely on the Internet for their personal, and work lives. If the government is allowed to restrict what we as a free people can and can not see, they cross a line that shouldn’t be crossed. The major problems with censoring the Internet are, the violation of the First Amendment, passing the bill could lead to other government controls, and the possibility of fanning the flames of civil unrest.
Censorship is the control of information and ideas circulated within a society. It has been a hallmark of dictatorships throughout history. In the 20th Century, censorship was achieved through the examination of books, plays, films, television and radio programs, news reports, and other forms of communication for the purpose of altering or suppressing ideas found to be objectionable or offensive. The rationales for censorship have varied, with some censors targeting material deemed to be indecent or obscene; heretical or blasphemous; or seditious or treasonous. The government censoring internet content is a clear violation of our First Amendment, and as a country founded on the Constitution we cannot allow that. One of the most popular, and cherished rights granted to Americans is freedom of speech, which is protected by the First Amendment. Censoring and regulating what we as American citizens can and can’t see on the Internet is a direct opposition of the Amendment.
With the government having the power to violate the first amendment they can move on to other things, there may never be an end to where enough is enough. Once the government sees the opportunity at hand they will be able to move onto other situations and change them as they see fit. Many people in the tech world agree that piracy is a real problem, but they worry about the significance of this