Internet Censorship

[sharon sanders]

Good afternoon everyone. It is a wonderful day here in Florida. I am getting ready to return to Quebec soon.

Today a member posted a guide on how to evade government censorship of the internet.

I have removed that post.

I agree with the spirit shown by the member as we do not endorse any kind of government censorship of the internet, however, we also recognize that we are at their mercy in terms of the access that they allow to their citizens.

If we publish a guide around these government internet censorship interventions, I am fearful that we will be blocked by certain governments of some of the 130ish countries that view us each month.

The world governments hold the key to internet access. They can, at the flick of a switch, turn us off to the citizens of their countries. We are powerless to stop this, even with a guide around some of their internet censorship interventions.

We choose, instead, to publish information to help lessen morbidity and mortality in an environment that is apolitical and free to all the peoples of the world.

Thank you to all participants and viewers. We are making a difference. Recently a doctor joined who is in a hospital treating H5N1 patients in Indonesia.

[Commonground]

Re: Internet Censorship

Recently a doctor joined who is in a hospital treating H5N1 patients in Indonesia.

Excellent! I think.
I couldn't agree with you more.

[newore]

Re: Internet Censorship

fear wins...

see ya.

[Snowy Owl]

Re: Internet Censorship

It ain't fear Newore, it is courage and faith in what we are doing.

It is easy to denounced, it is quite a difference in holding the road to serve.

There are people who shout out loud in the upper stages while some needs to concentrate on Life and Death matters.

Never met someone who with his shoulders could move by himself a mountain, but I do know that it is possible to get around it and to reach the needy one.

Bulldozers belongs in a pit of sand or rocks, not in the public health field.

[gsgs]

Re: Internet Censorship

Florida1 had written last year:

> As everyone will agree, the right of free speech granted by the
> Bill of Rights of the United States is at the foundation of a free
> and open society. It is a right that is guaranteed by a government.
> Many governments do not grant these rights and their citizens
> and countries suffer at the will of the rich and powerful.
> This right is essential.

the US-government hasn't changed since last year.
the US-constitution hasn't changed since last year.
So, what has changed ?

Can they threaten to close FT just only because it devotes to the principles
of the constitution ?

[sharon sanders]

Re: Internet Censorship

Gsgs -

If you are going to quote me, please do not quote out of context. Here is the entire post:

"As everyone will agree, the right of free speech granted by the Bill of Rights of the United States is at the foundation of a free and open society. It is a right that is guaranteed by a government. Many governments do not grant these rights and their citizens and countries suffer at the will of the rich and powerful. This right is essential.

I believe, also, in the freedom of the human spirit. By controlling the tone and temperament of the speech here, we have freed the human spirit. Here, members are free to converse, explore, conclude, and disagree with the knowledge that they will be shown respect and dignity.

This is not a free speech forum. There are certain topics that are anti-social and inhumane that will always be unacceptable here. One such topic is the use of nuclear weapons. This is a political topic and this site is apolitical. It is also inhumane to allow a serious discussion of such option in the field of public health. I will not be dissuaded from this position as I hold basic human rights above all other rights.

It is impossible to have free speech in a society that has no respect for human rights. This is why human rights must be the first consideration in an internet media vehicle. Free speech will only exist for the few who are bold enough to speak in an internet arena that does not respect human rights.

I want all to be free to speak here, the bold and the meek. Hence, I protect and, in fact cherish, the basic human right to respect and dignity.


S."



<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->We do not allow all types and manner of communication on FT. This has been a consistent policy. Some subjects are not suitable for this site. If you would like to discuss topics other than what we allow here, then please visit any of the thousands of sites that are on the internet. Please.

Furthermore, as you know, there are countries with vulnerable populations who need the information provided on this site. We want to stay online in those countries so that we can help as many as possible. Inciting the governments in those countries that do not allow free and open communication will only lessen our ability to help.

[gsgs]

Re: Internet Censorship

F1,

>If you are going to quote me, please do not quote
>out of context. Here is the entire post:

I quoted one whole paragraph, not out of context.
Is that paragraph still valid or not ?
It's certainly just the paragraph which was relevant to
your argument here with possible federal intervention
to close internet and i.e. FT.
When there are (also) other reasons for censorship at FT,
well, that's another matter.

>We do not allow all types and manner of communication on FT. This
>has been a consistent policy. Some subjects are not suitable for
>this site. If you would like to discuss topics other than what
>we allow here, then please visit any of the thousands of sites
>that are on the internet. Please.

the problem is however, that you won't tell us, what's allowed
in advance. Just from when you ban me I can do some guesswork
afterwards, since you still won't tell me the exact reason
for the banning and won't clarify about what's allowed,
so you have more freedom to ban individually for obscure reasons.

>Furthermore, as you know,
> there are countries with vulnerable populations who need the
>information provided on this site. We want to stay online in those
>countries so that we can help as many as possible. Inciting the
>governments in those countries that do not allow free and open
>communication will only lessen our ability to help.

make an extra forum for those.
Disable free speech in some rooms but allow it in others.

[LMonty]

Re: Internet Censorship

There are plenty of other forums for those, gs, as you well know- you are on them.

FT remains apolitical. This article potentially jeapordized our apolitical status- perhaps not in your eyes, but the very real possibility exists that censors might close access to the site because of it. That would interfere with our mission to supply real data and information of flu and other infectious diseases to the clinicans who need it most.

I applaud and support a decision that allows us to continue our mission.

[Snicklefritz]

Re: Internet Censorship

?? I believe, also, in the freedom of the human spirit. By controlling the tone and temperament of the speech here, we have freed the human spirit. Here, members are free to converse, explore, conclude, and disagree with the knowledge that they will be shown respect and dignity.

This is not a free speech forum?

Forgive me for speaking when it is doubtful that I can improve on what Florida1 has already said. But, her words have given voice to thoughts and feelings that have been a constant part of my experience on the Internet. So, here is my humbly offered contribution to the discussion.

It is my understanding that in our actions, both physical and verbal, we are responsible to each other precisely because we live in relationship to each other ? in community. So, while the things we say may be personal, and it may be our sovereign right to say them, our words have consequences for others. And, we are personally responsible for those consequences. Along those lines, there are times when it does take courage to speak our own personal truth. But, there are also times when it takes courage to remain silent in the face of personal affront, in the interest of greater justice for others.

When one exercises the role of an admin of some description on an Internet forum, you are speaking and acting on behalf of not only the forum members, but also on behalf of those who come to that forum for information. You are rarely speaking uniquely on your own behalf. And, on some occasions you simply have to try and discern what is better for the larger community, knowing that no matter which course of action you choose, someone will be offended. It takes wisdom and discernment to balance the need for personal justice for an individual member with the requirements for justice for the whole community.

I believe that when those seemingly conflicting requirements arise, the members of the forum community have a responsibility to respect the decisions of those whose role it is to balance those needs for justice. So, while I suspect Florida1 has very strong feelings about many subjects, she has chosen to have this forum remain silent on some of those subjects in the interest of greater justice for a very large community of readers. And, for my part, I believe I am fully exercising my sovereign rights and freely expressing my personal freedom by humbly respecting that decision.

[gsgs]

Re: Internet Censorship

I mainly want to freely discuss about the science, about the papers in journals and such.
Can it be done here ?

I could accept to stay away from your social aspects here like community/sorority forming,
hierarchy and "dignity" and learning each other know personally, respect/like/hate
their individual originalities.