In Internet's Way

ETHICS AND EVIL IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE: MEDIA, UNIVERSAL VALUES & GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT, pp. 93-115, Mark Fackler and Robert S. Fortner, eds., Hampton Press, 2010

23 Pages Posted: 30 Apr 2010

See all articles by Raphael Cohen-Almagor

Raphael Cohen-Almagor

University of Hull; Middle East Study Centre; Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Date Written: April 16, 2010

Abstract

The Internet contests boundaries to free expression and enlarges the scope of tolerance. More than half a billion people worldwide use the Internet. It is a wonderful, easy-to-use mechanism to advance knowledge and learning across the world, to bridge gaps (educational, national, religious, cultural), and to promote understanding.This essay outlines some questionable forms of expression that exploit the Internet and then analyzes two main problems: child pornography and hate speech, noting the differences between the United States and Europe in addressing these questionable forms of speech. The Internet as such is not the problem. The problem is that there are vile people who exploit the wonders of the Net, and our liberal commitment to freedom of expression, by inflicting harm on children and disliked minorities. Recognizing the potential harm involved, and that in those two cases - pedophilia and hate - speech might translate into real harm, the chapter calls for open debate as to how to address those two concerns, for international cooperation in the battle against pedophilia and hate mongering, and for taking responsibility. Pedophile websites should be shut down. Hate sites that target specific individuals, calling for their murder, should not be allowed to operate. Liberal democracy should protect its vulnerable citizens, first and foremost children and minorities.

Keywords: Internet, Child Pornography, Pedophilia, Hate Speech

JEL Classification: Z00

Suggested Citation

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael and Cohen-Almagor, Raphael, In Internet's Way (April 16, 2010). ETHICS AND EVIL IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE: MEDIA, UNIVERSAL VALUES & GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT, pp. 93-115, Mark Fackler and Robert S. Fortner, eds., Hampton Press, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1590868

Raphael Cohen-Almagor (Contact Author)

University of Hull ( email )

Cottingham Road
Hull, Great Britain HU6 7RX
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.hull.ac.uk/faculties/staff-profiles/raphael-cohen-almagor.aspx

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars ( email )

One Woodrow Wilson Plaza
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Washington, DC 20004
United States

Middle East Study Centre ( email )

Cottingham Road
Hull, HU6 7RX
United Kingdom
0044-1482 465024 (Phone)
0044-1482-466208 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://hcc.haifa.ac.il/~rca

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