Free Flow of Information?

After doing much research on the topic of governmental regulations on the flow in information on the internet, I have concluded that some countries may have less freedom than they would hope. In tackling this topic, i will specifically look at the types of restrictions on the free flow of information on the itnernet, and will discuss what restrictions there are due to government laws and regulations.


In the article 'Freedom on the 'Net: a Global Assessment," I uncovered information regarding governmental regulation of the internet, specifically directed toward the middle eastern countries. Authoritarian governments, such as those in China, Iran, and Tunisia. . .  place wide-ranging controls over digital media to prevent their use by government critics." The government places limits on the content citizens can view and post on the internet. "Surveillance of Internet and mobile phone communications is pervasive, and citizens who criticize the government online are subject to harassment, imprisonment, and torture," the article noted. Overall, "threats to Internet freedom are growing and diversifying both in the array of countries that impose restrictions and in the range of methods employed. "


In "Global Communication" by Mcphail, I noticed that the United States has a different level of regulation put on internet access. According to Mcphail, "in the age of the internet there is no privacy” (134). The 9/11 event caused a flooding of internet hits as a government report was watched by internet users all over the nation, putting pressure on the Us Federal Government to act. This report was spread over the internet causing a demand for copies especially on websites such as Amazon.com and other sites.  “Millions of average people around the world now have access to the full, unedited governmental reports” (133). Unlike countries in the Middle East, the United states has freedom of access to information on the internet, maybe more freedom than is beneficial, according to the governments point of view.


In conclusion, I researched the answer to the question "what restrictions are there on the global free flow of information on the internet due to government regulations" and found some interesting conclusions and comparisons. The Arab region government has a more strict view on the regulation of internet, than that of the United States, where one can find any information at any time. This is a strike comparison and should be noted when studying the global free flow of information in our generation.



Mcphail, "Global Communication" Wiley-Blackwell. Malden, Ma (2002)

Calingaert, D. and Cook, S. "Freedom on the 'Net: a Global Assessment." e-journal USA. (2010) http://www.america.gov/st/democracyhr-english/2010/July/20100727145843enelrahc1.823062e-02.html

Department of Commerce, Office of the Secretary. "Global Free Flow of Information on the Internet"