Internet Censorship in China Essay Sample

Internet Censorship in China Essay Sample Called as “information superhighway,” the internet was invented to provide fact access to data to an average person. Initially, it was supposed that the access would be limitless. However, the information superhighway is subject to some restrictions regarding some topics disclosed or viewed on the internet. These restrictions are put in the form of internet censorship to prevent access to sensitive or harmful information like children’s exposure to unsuitable content, to protect copyright information, which may present interest for digital criminals, to promote specific agendas, ideas, or products, and to track social opinions and preferences about various aspects of life. In his effort to explain, why internet censorship is necessary, Cohen (1997) outlined a list of common concerns shared by countries when establishing control over internet information: To protect national security by limiting access to information about weapons, drugs, and terrorism; To protect minors by preventing their access to pornography, violent content, or unsuitable marketing; To promote basic rights and freedoms by banning the internet content inciting to any kinds of discrimination and oppression; To protect economic security from internet-based fraud; To protect information security from hackers; To guarantee privacy by protecting personalized data; To protect intellectual property by restricting unauthorized distribution of copyrighted data; To protect reputation from unlawful, malicious, or defaming advertising. As one may see, this broad scope of goals pursued by restricting access to information indicates that internet censorship serves parental, community, and state goals, yet it is closely affiliated with the government apparatus. By understanding the fact that internet censorship serves many parties, one may ask a question, how does internet censorship work? From the technological perspective, there is a range of specific software that operated to block or limit access to certain content or websites. The use of such censorship software is approved and authorized by corresponding government policies and regulations. Hence, governments play a vital role in determining the volume and tools of internet censorship. The issue of internet surveillance is heavily debated by those arguing for the need to control the internet content and their opponents claiming that censorship contrasts the very idea of internet as a free flow, access to, and exchange of information. Advocates for internet censorship dwell on the importance of protecting vulnerable populations like children and minors from unsuitable and harmful information as well as protecting intellectual and privacy rights to combat internet-based crime. These arguments for internet censorship have value for many internet users, especially parents and businessmen. Governments justify their control over the internet content by these national security, public security, and personal security reasons. Opponents of internet censorship, however, assert that governments exploit these arguments to restrict freedom of speech and the press, which violates the key principles of democracy. By means of internet censorship, governments exercise control of the population in terms of monitoring public preferences and restricting access to specific categories of information. In the United States, some opponents of internet censorship call it a violation of the 1st Amendment and a manifestation of the government’s dictatorship. Apart from the public disconnect, negative effects of internet censorship include substantial investment in censorship software and tracking, recording, and prosecuting procedures and reduction in innovation and progress, as free flow of information is the most powerful learning tool. China is one of the world’s leaders in censoring and surveilling the internet by establishing tough regulations for service providers to control and remove unsuitable content. The authoritarian ruling of the Chinese government enables maintaining control over the internet content, which is highly challenging because internet protocols have been designated to enable free flow of data. By pressing companies that provide internet services, China exercises control over the internet-based information by blacklisting websites with unsuitable content. Hence, the Chinese government restricts access to certain kinds of data to internet users through blocking DNSs of websites with unsuitable content or blacklisting their IPs. The government censorship of the internet includes regular scanning of message boards to detect banned phrases and enforce takedowns of particular posts by internet service providers. Such an authoritarian internet censorship fits the Chinese ideology and understanding of the government’s role. Indeed, the history of censorship in China takes its roots in the ideas of Confucius about the authority of the government. Confucius’s postulate that a government should be oppressive and fearful to be effective laid the ground for the cultural concept of governance and obedience. Thus, the traditional government’s authoritarianism has covered the internet as well. So, why does China block websites? There are three major reasons pursued by China in its internet censorship, such as competition, sensitive contents, and national security. By blocking foreign websites, China maintains competitive advantage of local service providers and manufacturers. Dedicated to preserving cultural values and traditions, China restricts the public’s exposure to western ideas, values, and social norms as well as access to unsuitable and harmful content. Finally, to protect sovereignty of the nation along with the Chinese ideology and culture, China practices a closed-door policy in terms of the internet content maintaining the government’s monopoly over internet services. Internet censorship in China pros and cons. The authoritarian internet-related policy of the Chinese government has its advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, by censoring the internet, China protects children and other vulnerable populations from harmful content, removes information promoting racism and pornography, increases privacy, prevents piracy, and combats the internet crime. On the other hand, internet censorship in China violates the right to free expression and freedom of speech, limits disclosure of truth, narrows the public focus on local issues and products, and reduces public globalization. References Cohen, T. (1997). Censorship and the regulation of speech on the internet. Johannesburg, South Africa: Center for Applied Legal Studies.