Free Speech Versus Censorship

Question: How do you feel this issue fits in with the "world" wide Web? Should free speech be considered when it comes to postings that are filled with hate speech? Answer: Freedom of speech is the primary right of every U.S. citizen. However, the extent of this freedom is restricted to minimize issues related to discrimination in any form, child and youth abuse, hate speeches and so on. The same has to be applied to the most widely used communication technology, The Internet (Molnr, 2015). The need of censorship especially in the World Wide Web is high as anything posted on the internet, would travel around the world. Freedom of speech would not require censorship if individuals posting information are socially responsible. One would not mock a physically handicapped person as that would be insensitive. The same attitude has to be adapted when posting over the internet as people around the world have different beliefs and cultures and posting negative information would be abusing the freedom of speech. Hate speech is a direct misuse of the freedom of speech as negative and offensive information would be passed around the world (Waldron, 2012). When fre e speech is directed towards a race or religion negatively, the chances of a mass revolt is high. Hate speeches have tendency to rise violent behavior in the offended community, which may seek justice through aggressive retort. Sexting and pornography on the other hand have to be age restricted as they may affect the personality of a child. The content of abusive and rape porn has to be eliminated as the same may increase rape culture (Makin, 2015). References Makin, D. A., Morczek, A. L. (2015). The Dark Side of Internet Searches: A Macro Level Assessment of Rape Culture. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 9(1), 1. Molnr, P. (2015). Free Speech and Censorship Around the Globe. Central European University Press. Waldron, J. (2012). The harm in hate speech. Harvard University Press.