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  • Essay / Pros and Cons of Free Speech on the Internet

    Since the Internet broke free from academic cloisters and entered the public domain during the 1990s, there has been extensive debate research into whether individuals' remarks and comments on the Internet should be restricted. It has also attracted increasing attention due to the popularity of emerging social networks like Facebook and Twitter in recent years. While some argue that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, others argue that uncontrollable anarchy can arise due to freedom of expression. This article examines both the arguments for and against free speech on the Internet and offers suggestions based on these arguments. Internet Freedom provides effective and universally accessible tools to create a new platform for collecting citizen voices. Habermas (1989) indicates that better access to information allows for greater improvement in the democratic process. It is for this reason that this opportunity could promote democratic development. Additionally, the results of Michael and Keegan's (2005) study support a significant correlation between freedom of expression on the Internet and a common indicator of a nation's level of democratization. In the information age, free speech on the Internet can break traditional media's monopoly on political issues. It is also the guarantee of the development of democracy. While free speech on the Internet strengthens democratization, it also provides channels for political dissidents and enables them to undermine it. McLaughlin (2007) reveals that in the Middle East, the Internet provides dissident non-state actors with a potentially powerful tool to achieve their political goals. Therefore, without the constraint imposed by the nation... middle of paper ......ool, the public, even the nation, could suffer inestimable disasters. Taking into account these arguments, I believe that citizens have the right freedom of speech and expression through all media, in addition, freedom of expression on the Internet has been discussed on the promotion of democratization and civilization. However, these benefits are based on rational, caring, and malicious remarks on the Internet. Free speech is not the privilege of making comments, including those attributing negative influence to the public. Therefore, the only scale to ensure effective management of the Internet is nationally imposed censorship. It is also the guarantee of constructive improvement generated by the Internet. Coercion is neither an autocratic tool nor a deprivation of the right to freedom of expression, and will benefit the Internet-surfing public..