I heard a story this afternoon on CNN about internet/blog regulation. This is something that we should all be concerned about (at least Americans anyway. I don't know what other countries are up to in this regard. Any information about how other countries handle/see the internet/blogs is welcome).
The basic idea behind this is that the American Federal Communications Commission wants to regulate blogs that link to a political candidate or help raise money for a candidate. This is a terrible, TERRIBLE idea. This is just another example of the errosion of individual rights. Everyday the American First Amendment to "free speech" is being diluted and washed away. This is just another example.
Since it went public the internet has always been a very open and free venue to discuss anything and everything. The internet is the arena where the world comes together to share ideas and interact. I am very skeptical at any kind of regulation on the internet because where does it stop?
People say, "What about protecting the kids online?" Valid concern but there are monitoring programs now available to prevent kids from accessing sensitive and adult sites. Besides, what happened to good, old parental monitoring of what your kids are into?
The current American government is going too far with this idea. Internet blogs are the last independent voice for the average person. If we can not express ourselves online then I have to wonder where this administration will go after that. We have already seen some serious invasion into personal rights here in America with the PATRIOT ACT. The internet is the last place in America where you can say whatever the FUCK YOU WANT without having to worry about the goddamn government looking up your ass!!
In many ways I can not help but laugh. Who does the FCC think they are?? How in the burning, blazin' hell does the FCC think it can regulate the internet?! It belongs to the goddamn world after all!!!
The internet/blogs are linking the world in many wonderful ways and if the current American government attacks the internet and blogs then we (Americans at least) are headed for an America that our "founders fathers" would no longer recognize.
FIGHT THE POWER!!!! :-)
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4 comments:
Wait a minute, wait a minute, there, James.
We live in a country where politicians are fully bribed. There as much for sale as russet potatoes at Safeway.
I don't think that freedom means the Internet should be a back door around campaign laws and healthy full disclosure.
The concern isn't that "Big Brother is Watching You," rather that "Big Brother is fixing elections so that incumbants can't lose, so YOU are irrelevant."
You are right...BAD idea.
-Banjk
Ugh, wait a minute; you get your news from CNN?! What sort of a blogger are you?
Just kidding...
I am not an American but I am as appalled as you are and I sympathize sincerely.
Now here is one idea what to do …
Well, Lem I mostly get my news through independent, internet sources such as from common dreams or the UK Guardian but If I must watch U.S. cable news I go with CNN.
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