Editorials

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Internet censors pose a threat to freedom

By: Corner Brook Western Star

Posted: 01/26/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Finding censorship online is like tracking a snowmobile trail groomer. So where are these elusive groomers? They started grooming last week on the snowmobile trails, but no one seems to have seen one. There are tracks in the snow, stories from riders about sightings and interesting mechanical noises coming from the woods. But attempts to actually find one in its natural environment fell short.

However, if you stay on a main trail long enough, you'll see it.

It's a little like censorship on the Internet. Stay on the web long enough and you'll see it coming.

For almost two decades we have spent an increasing amount of time on the Internet, with our lives revolving more and more around it. We have become accustomed to free news, free music, free movies, free social outlets, free books and free everything. Failure to pay for an art form will cause its demise; that was covered a decade ago with the downfall of Napster, the first online music sharing site.

The real frightening thing about the Stop Online Piracy Act is not that we may have to pay for movies again; it's the fact that it could give governments the ability to shut down certain parts of the Internet in times of war or economic strife.

Joe Lieberman, prominent U.S. politician and former vice-presidential candidate, has said China can already disconnect parts of the Internet and "We need to have that here too."

Did you catch that? Our biggest trading partner which cares so much about freedom is interested in a Chinese-style form of Internet censorship.

The Internet has made the world a smaller place, where borders are less and less noticeable. It is so much easier to feel consequences here for what happens on the other side of the planet. It would be a major crime for countries to start falling like dominoes to limit access to information.

Imagine not being able to access your favourite news site when a major natural disaster hits and the rescue services are botched. Or when we're sending soldiers to a foreign country.

China is already experiencing this. It's one of the reasons they have such a disastrous human rights record.

By all means, start paying for music. Keep reporters working and start paying for news too, but let's work to stop any form of Internet censorship that comes from any country. Because Canada could be next.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 26, 2012 A11

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.