Discussion Forum Group 1 Powerpoint Internet Censorship

1. Marissa Zlock
Roxanne St.Ives
Christine VanVorce
Kristen Davis
Chon Taylor

2.  The control or suppression of the publishing
or accessing of information on the internet
 There is a great deal of controversy
surrounding internet censorship
 Pros-vs-Cons
 Restricting certain materials such as
pornographic images or vulgar material can
benefit society
 People who argue against censorship say that it
limits freedom of speech, the press and
expression; therefor, detrimental to society

3. 3 POV‟s
 Technology POV-Claims US trade agreements
have failed to make an effort to ensure freedom
of info via the internet
 Human Rights Groups POV-Called for regulatory
framework from congress with penalties for
industry violators
 Last POV-Scrutinizing the industry itself to be
held accountable as an accomplice in the
violation of human rights

4.  www.globalnetworkinitiative.org
 Global network initiative
 Mission: “To enable companies and their
stakeholders to assist those in the information
and communication technology industry to
respect and protect freedom of expression and
privacy globally through individual and collective
actions.”
 Participants include: Google, Microsoft, Yahoo
and 21 other organizations.

5. i. Provides a framework for
companies, rooted in international
standards
ii. Ensures accountability of ICT
sector companies through
independent assessment
iii. Enables opportunities for policy
agreement
iv. Creates shared learning
opportunities across stakeholder
boundaries

6.  Each organization has agreed to specific
principles, implementation guidelines and
governance
 In addition, agreements have been reached
on accountability and learning framework

7.  Global Network Initiative is voluntary
 Voluntary efforts will only go so far
 Regulatory framework including penalties holding
companies accountable will prove more effective
 HumanRights watch advocates and members
deem the debate as an ethical matter for
companies

8.  Article:
Cisco systems denies online
censorship role in China
 Controversy over comments in an internal
document regarding goals to stop network
related crimes
 Cisco claims the comments to “combat” „Falun
Gong, a spiritual movement banned by the
Chinese government, doesn‟t reflect their views
on censorship

9.  Rep. Chris Smith 1981-present
 2006 Smith introduced Global Online Freedom Act
 Intended to prevent governments from using Internet and
information technologies purchased from US companies against
their citizens (Internet Regulations)
 Help us Stop Internet Censorship Legislation
 Protect the Internet
 What‟s this about?
 What‟s the risk?
 The Result?
 How is it done?
 What about piracy?
 Petition to the Senate
 Oppose S.3804

10.  Permission less Innovation
 Open access
 Collaboration
 The idea that anyone can innovate on the Internet is a
fundamental and important aspect of the Internet
experience we need to preserve.
 The Bill passed on March 27, 2012
 House Committee Approves Global Online Freedom Act
 TheWorld is Changing and the Internet is
Changing

11.  Since that start of 2007, Google services-
including YouTube video sharing, blogging and
social network sites- have been blocked in
whole or in part in 27 countries.
 “This is not a black and white issue. This is
not an easy issue” Said Sen. Richard
Durbin, the subcommittee‟s chair.

12.  The subcommittee heard testimony from
Crisco, Google and Yahoo executives.
 Both Google and Yahoo said that U.S.
Government and other countries need to
make Internet freedom a top propriety.
 Over the last 18 months, industry, academics
and human rights group have been working on
a voluntary code of conduct for companies
doing business in repressive countries.
 Although a voluntary approach is a good
start, it likely wont go far enough.

13. Governments have a moral duty Censorship is innately
to protect its citizens from incompatible with the notion of
harmful sites.
free speech.
The government here may The internet is a free domain
legitimately limit ‘free speech’. and cannot be dominated by the
government.
Even sites which appeared Nations often react poorly to
innocent have had a devastating censoring governments.
effect on society.
As an extensive form of
media, the internet should be
subject to censorship just as
other forms of media are.
FOR: AGAINST:

14.  Isit fair?
 Should the government decide what you can
or can‟t see?
 What has happened to Freedom of Speech?
 Communication…..where has it gone?

15. Do our lives really need
to be under the
governments radar?
Who’s choice is it?

17. Do you have any questions?

18.  http://idebate.org/debatabase/debates/sc
ience-technology/house-would-censor-
internet
 http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/internet-
censorship
 internetsociety.org
 techdirt.com
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmx4twC
K3_I <edited>