How do countriesâ values and political system shape citizensâ access to online content?
If you have been following the Google and China struggle this year, you saw the Internet giant attempting to offer their search engine to the people of China but having to filter/censor to abide by China law.  In the end, Google kept Google.cn (China) alive but offers a link to unfiltered Hong Kong!  July update here. Â
The U.S. State Department issued an entire online journal about internet censorship.   âThe first part of this journal addresses the difficulty agreeing on a universally applicable definition of Internet freedom. Nations impose many different kinds of restrictions. Some represent the efforts of authoritarian regimes to repress their opponents, but others instead reflect diverse political traditions and cultural norms.
Other materials survey the current state of ânet freedom in different parts of the world. Freedom House, a leading nongovernmental organization, has studied government efforts to control, regulate, and censor different forms of electronic social communication. Its findings are explained.
The issue also explores a number of issues that help define the contours of Internet freedom. The term âintermediary liabilityâ may not pique oneâs interest, but it assumes new relevance phrased as whether YouTube is liable for an offensive video posted by a third party. From dancing babies to public libraries, the issues that will delimit global citizensâ access to information are being contested every day.â
Access or download the journal here.
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