Censorship? Is filtering censorship?

Several countries are now blocking "offensive materials" from the Internet. India is the most recent to announce that it will be blocking material that is pornographic, defamatory, insulting to religion and similar material. They say that they will not block political speech.

China, on the other hand not only blocks pornography but also an entire range of political speech that it regards as dangerous to the state. Certainly that is clear censorship to prevent political change. Other countries that block some parts of the Internet are Saudi Arabia and Iran with a wide variety of censorship that ranges from pornography, to religious issues to political dissent. Not good.

However, what would be acceptable censorship? The American Library Assn. has lobbied hard to prevent thew use of filters on Library computers even though they know that students and adults are accessing pornographic material. To my way of thinking this is insane. There are also advocates that are trying to overturn filtering for Public School computers saying that this will stifle intellectual inquiry. Hello?

What is the correct balance between protecting a nations' kids from harmful material as balanced against the right to free inquiry and speech? Is pornography speech?

For a period of time the U.S.Supreme Court held that nude dancing (strippers) was protected speech regardless of whether someone was speaking or not. The definition broadened to include freedom of expression. Since then the Court has retracted its view by allowing Community Standards to be a limit on such things as strip clubs.

But what about Speech as the founders meant it? Historically free speech was "political speech" the right to speak out against the government. At the same time during most of American History if someone was operating outside the social norms then they might be tarred and feathered; or their book might be "banned in Boston. The FCC regulates material; on the public airways even today

So where are we now when anything goes? Is it appropriate for a country to insist that indecent material be filtered. It is against the law to shout "fire" in a crowded theater, yet when it is clear that internet pornography has been lighting fires throughout the nation then is it appropriate for the Government to regulate this as well?


To my way of thinking, the American People are more wedded to the defense of choice than they are to reasonable prevention. As a result we have voluntary filtering available for individuals who would censor themselves. In the spirit of "Choice" Americans can choose to install a filter like wisechoice.net and to determine what censorship is appropriate for their family. Violent games for children and teens? Pornography for everyone? Shopping for the family member who bankrupts themselves with compulsive buying. With private filtering you can protect your family and yourself at a custom level.

At my house we block any level of pornographic materials be they "soft" or "hard core pornography. If I had young teens I would also block chat and for younger ones I would block social networking sites. To each family its own level.

www.Wisechoice.Net