Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet Censorship

In this era of instant information with the support of advanced technology, we would think that access to any data would be unlimited. After all, the Internet is just a snap away. But the distressing truth is, many countries all over the world seek out to restrict outside impacts and hence block the Internet networks and censor content when and where possible. It is a platform for communication and broadcasting information across a universal outrage. Yet, regardless of the advantages it presents to billions of users, some obstructions force citizens and countries to move forward and put into practice internet censorship. Safeguarding internet freedom against the growth of digital dictatorship is essential to protecting the democratic system. Technology should inspire citizens to make their own social, commercial, and electoral selections without compulsion or concealed manipulation. 

The internet has grown into the latest public sphere of influence, and mass media have immense power to guarantee that their platforms serve the public right. Laws that restrict audio-visual media programming produced outside their own countries are reasonable in some respects and not in others. The critical issue is how much information should be out there on the internet and whether there should be a restriction to certain info to be divided between followers and critics. Restriction to a certain percentage of audio can reduce the influence of hate of speech in society or on social media while communicating with others. The concept that all speech is equal can be proved false when argued. For example, there are phrases or words that individuals use as an attempt to put down the right to speak of others. People can become targets of cyberbullying and discriminatory language which should not be the issue. These ways should not be permitted in virtual reality. The restricting process creates more opportunities for equality in this case. In today’s world parents are too busy handling work and home together. But, in this society of modernized technology, they must protect their children from unhealthy inspirations. There is content everywhere over the internet that slips through parental filters. Innocent children can become targets of predators who can engage young kids in child pornography or other malicious acts. Censorship allows us to protect children to get into trouble. 

Limitation to certain information and content over media can help reduce the amount of conflict it can create among different societies. For example, Netflix had to take down an episode of the Patriot Act by Hasan Minhaj that was critical for the country’s authorities. Or it would have created a rift and Saudi Arabia would have banned the show in their country. Certain restrictions are unreasonable for example, when the government is the one to decide what information people can access, then there is no individual responsibility for one’s actions. Instead of being individuals, restriction turns people into products. We already have seen the impact of this censorship in China. If someone adds comments that are anti-government, violent, or sexually graphic, then the content is subject to automatic deletion. Do it ample times and the account will be removed. It is also a violation of privacy as it monitors all the sites the individual visits. When censorship starts impeding any form of content because it doesn’t imply a morality standard or transgresses someone, then there are not many commercial prospects that become accessible at all stages of society. Organizations can no longer advertise themselves because their advertising might be upsetting someone. Also, it closes the commerce for certain countries. For example, Facebook is blocked in China, where it could have gained millions of users and have earned the profit. It creates a sphere where our activities are controlled by others, so those with the loudest speeches will normally have the most control. 

Many countries like Canada have laws that say foreign films need to have artists of their countries to be released in their own country which is a huge market to celebrities and the nation. While protecting the unique culture of the country. Some states have a complete shutdown of outside media like Korean and Cuba. Countries like Tunisia block citizen’s from viewing revolutionary materials. Less than 40% of all residents have to access the web. I don’t think that accessing web restrictions and around the countries, the content will remain effective with the expansion of online media and technology in recent years. Due to certain inventions, it cannot control the users to not to access specific content. For example, Masking IP addresses with VPNs or Proxy services are the finest choice for retrieving content that is blocked in some country because it allows to tunnel(port forwarding) the traffic through an encrypted connection and comes out to another side. Users also can change the DNS server on the home router. So remote server believes you’re logged in from the appropriate country and it will simply work. The use of all these services is so widespread that there is no stopping, they are hard to trace and block. 

Concluding, сulture is the soul of a nation. As countries become more economically unified, nations need strong national cultures and cultural representation to maintain their authority and sense of individuality. Undeniably, some have argued that the worldwide impact of globalization is establishing itself in the reaffirmation of local cultures. For example, tv shows, music, and all other contents produced outside highly influence a foreign country’s culture and it can undermine their own cultural identity. But in my opinion, the superior grasp of foreign culture does not certainly mean weakened stature for others. In history, many different traditions have grown together and created opportunities to flourish. The exchange of ideas is important for culture or nation to grow. We can create rules that fit the needs of the nation without imposing integrity or values on others. I’m not saying that all forms of content should be permitted in society there should be specific laws for different contents as per who can watch or hear it. And putting restrictions is also not in control due to emerging technology. Now anyone from anywhere can access anything available on the internet. But it can be great if parents or government or teachers take part in teaching young individuals to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate content and the importance of their own culture.

Works Cited

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