FREE SPEECH AND THE INTERNET

The freest phenomenon that exists is information and the Internet advances freedom of information on a global scale.

The Internet is a common platform, a place available to the public similar to any area of a town; it belongs to everybody. The only difference is that the Internet is the largest common space that has ever been created. The Internet allows for all who want to be heard to access the Internet and say the world is their audience. As diverse as humanity is, that is how large the worldwide audience will be. Since all of the world's population is the audience, no one community or group can dictate what kind of thought or speech is permitted on the Internet.

The robust architecture of the Internet allows the principle of freedom of speech to be part and parcel of the Internet. Due to its robust design, a complete blockage of information on the Internet is nearly impossible. Only in very controlled and limited circumstances can information be blocked. This is true with regard to a home computer when information is to be blocked from children, a firewall can be installed to block certain sites.

If one believes in the progress of civilization, and that this progress depends on the ability to express speech thought and new ideas, freedom of speech is the greatest value that society can encourage. By using the Internet, people have become more and more convinced about the importance of that freedom, because of their personal experience with the World Wide Web. Not only does the Internet afford universal freedom of speech, but it also provides access to different opinions and thoughts and allows people to form their own conclusion and express their own feelings.