Freedom of Speech: Blog Musings

As a phenomenon, the humble blog is nowhere more powerful than where it punches a hole through oppression and over-regulation. In fact, the blog is forcing social injustices onto political agendas around the globe.

In the Middle East, traditionally a conservative, religious environment where mainstream media is tightly regulated and controlled, blogs are growing in popularity especially among women. See ABC Media Report: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/1855144.htm

John Naughton in his article 'Blogging for Freedom' also describes how blogs are bypassing government control for free expression in Iran. See: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1951481,00.html.

No doubt the freedom the internet affords is doing much good around the world. However, the same freedom can also be abused: spreading intolerance (OK, let’s call it hatred), destabilizing the status quo, defamation and so on. I immediately thought of some questions:

• Does the internet represent true freedom of speech?
  


• Is the notion of self-censorship for the internet sufficient regulation?
  


• If further regulation is needed, what should it look like?

Perhaps the title of this post should have been ‘Blogs: Good vs Evil’ instead.