Issues on the Freedom of Speech and Information in the Internet
The turn of the 21st century is an era where the popularity and powerof Internet technology became prominent. Many years after the invention ofcomputers, the innovation of Internet technology made it possible forindividuals (in this case, computer users) to interact with people and gainunlimited access to information in real time through the Internet, or whatwas then called the World Wide Web (WWW). The above-mentioned advantages are perhaps the reason why Internetemerged as a powerful tool in empowering the human society of theinformation technology period. More powerful and pervasive than thelocomotive motor, the Internet is able to connect people with other peopleall over the world, crossing boundaries and differences in language,
Uninhibited flow of information andexpression in the Internet gives rise to the proliferation of misleading,and even false information transmitted to the users. Also, it is important that users are able to distinguishbetween true and false information, as well as rightful ones in order toprevent distortions in an individual's concept of how freedom of expressionand rightful access to information is like, whatever medium is used, be iton print, broadcast, film, or, more importantly, Internet media. Despite the enumerated advantages of the right to freedom ofexpression and access to information in the Internet, it is also animpediment to achieving a functional and proper view of what are thelimitations to these rights. Contrary to telephonecommunication, Internet communication is not limited; this example issimilar in the case of media communication, where print, broadcast, andfilm media information are censored, resulting to repression of freedom ofexpression. Events and information about countries fromthe other side of the world is available through the Internet, as well asinformation in a local area that may not have been transmitted to the userthrough the other forms of communication media (print and broadcast). These information may be personal,official, or public in nature. These examples show how the right to freedom of expression,particularly speech, is enhanced and became centralized with thedevelopment of real time technology of the Internet. In the Internet communication, there is no restraint to self-expression. Due to these disadvantages, it is imperative that the Internet begoverned with rules and regulations that ensure that abuses of these rightswill not occur. Another important change that Internet communication and technologybrought to human rights of freedom of expression is the right to haveaccess to information that is of interest to the public, and even as anindividual. Like unrestricted self-expression, Internet technology onceagain provides a venue for people to exchange ideas and information thatthey consider important to them. Unpublished scholarly works, personal compositions, and evennarratives and journals are 'published' or publicly posted in Internet websites without restriction or censorship. Furthermore, thedistinguishing line between freedom of expression and abuse of these rightsbecomes a gray area when applied to the Internet communication experience.
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Acceptance Essays
