Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Freedom of Speech?

In light of Nadine Strossen, how far does freedom of speech actually take us? The First Ammendment of the Constitution states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. " The internet has become an integral part to our present culture. With its vast abilities, the internet can literally be used by anyone and allows people to use it in any sort of manner they wish. Several areas of the internet may have reached a point of 'questionable material', but who is to say that certain material is not educational or reasonable for the public eye? Depending on who you ask, certain words and phrases can be interpreted in several different ways. Personally, whatever material interesting or thought provoking to one should be recognized as freedom of speech. There are of course certain boundaries which I feel that everyone understands not to cross, but the majority of the internet (however questionable certain sites may be) pertains to some group of people. So really... Who determines what is recognized as crossing the boundaries? How can a one person or group tell another that their material is simply not acceptable?

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