Internet Censorship: Protecting Citizens or Trampling Freedom?

Americans are sharply divided on the issue of internet censorship.

Some people believe that censoring online material is the best way to achieve or preserve certain important public goals, such as child safety, civilized society, national security, and creativity. Other people strongly disagree. They believe that to govern themselves well, they must be able to share ideas-even controversial ones-freely. They insist that censorship is rarely the best way to achieve any positive goal.

Making sense of the Internet censorship debate involves looking at the facts, studying the statistics, examining the laws, and listening to views on both sides. It also means asking tough questions:

Should the government have a role in protecting traditional customs and morals online?

Who should be responsible for protecting children from inappropriate content and exploitation online?

Do attempts to legislate morality online prohibit the free exchange of ideas, a key element of democracy?

Should Americans be willing to trade their online privacy for potentially greater safety?

When should secret electronic surveillance and investigation tactics be used?

To answer these questions, this book examines the history of censorship in the United States as well as current federal, state, and local laws. It provides the opinions and perspectives of government and business leaders, activists, and ordinary Americans on both sides of the issue. Supplemented with quotes, anecdotes, and discussions from the pages of USA TODAY, The Nation's No. 1 Newspaper, this book will broaden your understanding of all sides of the issue and help you form your own opinion, either for or against Internet censorship.