Internet+Censorship

Check out this Vid on government censorship of the internet...

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GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF THE INTERNET media type="file" key="Government Censorship.mp3" width="240" height="20" [|Government Censorship.mp3]

The Chinese government set up the Internet Information Management Bureau in the spring of 2000 to "promote development of the [ICT] industry by establishing copyright standards and to counter the 'infiltration of harmful information on the Internet’." The government had already barred some Chinese news sites from running foreign news on their sites in an attempt to stamp out "harmful" information. State officials said the bureau was seeking to limit content related to pornography and gambling and to help to develop all websites, state or privately owned. At the time, people were concerned about the reasons the bureau was established. They thought that the bureau was an attempt to reduce the amount of information that Chinese citizens are allowed to read over the Internet. But that was just the first step.

In January 2002, the Chinese government increased their control over the Internet. They ordered ISPs to screen private e-mails for political content. ISPs had to back up all e-mails and turn any questionable ones over to the government. The Chinese government also planned to hold the ISPs responsible for the content on their servers, requiring them to erase content that is prohibited, including chat rooms and online bulletin boards.

Is China the only country that regulates Internet content? No. In Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, certain telecommunication companies have the monopoly for providing Internet service to all residents. These telecommunication companies filter all websites and block those that they feel are sensitive for political or religious reasons.

South Korea wants to promote a “healthy” Internet culture. Sites are blocked that go against their laws, including “harmful” information or those that promote sexual violence.

Most democratic countries around the world do not censor Internet content. Rather, they rely on their citizens to alert them to online content that could be considered unsuitable for their citizens, especially children, or those that promote hatred. Once identified, ISP may be ordered to remove such content from servers.

Questions

1. What kind of information would you consider to be “harmful” to citizens?

2. Does the Canadian government control the distribution of news in Canada?

3. Does the Canadian Government censor Internet content in Canada?

4. Debate the pros and cons of Internet censorship.

Finished? Nope! Now it's time to research another example of government censorship of the Internet. Provide any relevant links and a WELL WRITTEN PARAGRAPH outlining the details. Lots of freedom with this, explore!