Internet Censorship Libraries Essay - 2768 Words

Libaries across the nation are in a dilemma, should they filter what information is available to its visitors via the Internet? This scenario is being debated all across the United States. Many states are arguing over whether or not the library has the authority to limit what information is accessible via the Internet computers at the library. The argument is over the First Amendment right of Free Speech. There are family groups who are actually in favor of allowing unfiltered access on the Internet, not what one would think. These groups also support the notion of parents being with their children while they are on the Internet, not something that all parents have the luxury of being able to do. Other groups want the†¦show more content†¦Public access to the Internet is available at over 50% of the public libraries in the United States. Library patrons can access the limitless information available that the Internet offers. With this many libraries allowing acc ess and many more each day adding access a new dilemma has been created. The dilemma is to support the American Library Associations Bill of Rights and the First Amendment Right of Free Speech or to limit access to the Internet by censoring or blocking out undesirable information, and thus going against the right of free speech. On July 2, 1997 the American Library Association (ALA) adopted a resolution affirming that the use of filtering software by libraries to block access to constitutionally protected speech violated the Library Bill of Rights. An earlier statment by the ALA titled Access to Electronic Information, Services and Networks in January of 1996 stated users should not be restricted or denied access for expressing or receiving constitutionally protected speech. One would think that this would resolve the libraries dilemma, it did not. Public libraries must answer to boards, parents and their constituencies and therefore this group of people must support this decision as well. Libraries have constitutional support as well as professional sanction for open Internet access. Each library must wrestle withShow MoreRelatedCensorship Online1041 Words   |  5 Pagesabout issues regarding Censorship of the Internet. According to the textbook, censorship is a way used by governments or religious institutions to supervise or regulate the public access to offensive or harmful materials (Quinn 2012, p.496). Internet censorship applies the same discipline which regulates the public access to harmful content on internet. Nowadays, internet is a place with huge potential for growth. Statistics suggest that the total growth of new internet users is 566.4% from DecemberRead More Internet Censorship Essay802 Words   |  4 PagesInternet Censorship Internet Censorship. What does this mean to us? What is restricted? Censorship is summarily defined as the suppression of objectionable material. That means that material such as pornography, militant information, offensive language, anti-religion, and racism would be restricted in use. Freedom would not only be restricted to material placed on the web, but also what you could access, and where you could explore. Should the right of Freedom of Speech be taken away fromRead More High School Internet Censorship Essay1019 Words   |  5 PagesHigh School Internet Censorship       The common image that comes to mind on the topic of censorship is that of book burning. Dating back to ancient times, the easiest way to deal with unwanted writings has been to get rid of them, usually by heaping them into a blazing pyre. In his most famous science fiction novel, Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury warns of a futuristic society where all literature is destroyed under a kerosene flame and the citizens freedoms are kept in check by the lack of writtenRead MoreCensorship Is Not Limited Repressive Regimes Or Network Television?1522 Words   |  7 PagesCensorship is not limited to repressive regimes or network television. Weather we know it or not censorship is happening all the time throughout the day. We censor ourselves, we listen to censored music and as students we see the internet being heavily censored in school. The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was signed into law in 2000; the law requires any public schools or library to filter any inappropria te content from the computers being used by minors. Since the law has been put inRead MoreOff the Leash: Censoring the Internet Essay1737 Words   |  7 Pagesyour Facebook today? How about your E-Mail? If not, you may be missing something even now! In today’s fast-paced world of instant information, if you aren’t on the internet, you’re almost certainly uninformed. Networks and the internet make up an alarmingly large part of our life. We get our news (both personal and public) via the internet, we talk to friends, shop for things, pay our bills†¦ but how vast is the monster that does all of this? This question, along with many others, is essential in theRead More We Dont Need Internet Censorship Essay1350 Words   |  6 PagesWe Dont Need Internet Censorship Censorship is an extremely controversial issue. There have been hundreds of thousands of essays written about whether or not censorship on the Internet is right or wrong, but so far, no precise conclusion has surfaced. Ive researched into the topic, but I havent completely sided with one or the other. There are just good reasons against censorship. This essay briefly discusses some reasons why the Internet should be censored, but will then mainly focusRead More Censorship and the Internet Essay1213 Words   |  5 Pagesinformation available on the internet many people believe that some of this information should be censored by the United States Government. Whos to say what should be accessible and what should not? Where does it start and stop? Does internet censorship make a nation a safer place to live? There are many countries that don’t allow the use of the internet at all and some countries only censor what they don’t want their citizens to know. Daniel C alingaert said â€Å"The internet has provided greater spaceRead More Internet Censorship Essay example1506 Words   |  7 PagesCensorship of the Internet   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We should demand that all public schools and libraries install and configure Internet Filters. This statement shows how Jeffery Pollock, a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District seat in Oregon, views the Internet. Unfortunately for him, the one thing that he ranted and raved about was the one thing that gave him an unfair disadvantage in the in the upcoming elections. (Blind Ballots) Cyber Patrol, One of the leading Internet censoring companies and isRead MoreShould The Government Effectively Censor the Internet? Essay1033 Words   |  5 PagesThesis: The United States Government must cease trying to reduce privacy and censorship on the internet, because it limits the right freedom of speech, builds mistrust towards the government, and it wastes resources better spent on other types of law enforcement. The United States Government needs to stop drafting laws that aim to reduce online privacy and give the government the power to effectively censor the internet. The creators of these proposed laws would try to say that they will allow theRead More The Threat of Censorship Essay1952 Words   |  8 PagesThe Threat of Censorship The First Amendment of the Constitution distinguishes Americans from other citizens in the world. The right to free speech, press, and religion is at the core of the Americanvalue system. As a result, when thesefreedoms are challenged people tend to react strongly. However, at times government officials and theirconstituents would argue that censorship, or other violations of Constitutionalrights, are legitimate. With the advent of new technologies, politicians createnew