Article Response: Big Tech could break democracy. Knowledge is our best defense & Six reasons young adults think the news media is dividing our country
Ed Toddy (04/14/20)
Ed Toddy (04/14/20)
This is an important time in the life span of the internet. While modern technology has had many beneficial effects upon our society, it has also compromised the ethical foundations of our nation, or rather the presumptive ethical foundations. The internet has assisted justice seekers in exposing corruption and creating a better world, but I agree that the massive information arena has negatively affected the democratic process; however, I disagree that it has ruined it.
The effect of the internet upon an individual is founded in the experiences they have prior to accessing the web. The internet is a library, and like any library you can browse the shelves, but most people will navigate towards a genre that interests them.
The most impressive feature of the internet is free expression and free information. The internet allows users absolute freedom in a digital atmosphere without consequence. It allows groups, good and bad, to organize, create, and commune with one another across great distances. For all its flaws, the internet has helped more than it has harmed. The argument to regulate, alter and inhibit the freedom of the internet poses an interesting question. How much digital freedom should we be allowed and does altering access to that freedom inhibit a person free speech and expression. Obviously, the answer is yes, altering the internet from what is now would reshape our concepts of free speech and expression. Currently the internet is a forum information riddled with opinion, misinformation and hyperbole.
In order to ensure that such a powerful tool is not used for malicious purposes the government should pass more legislation that holds tech companies responsible for misinformation. Lying in court is not allowed, lying to a teacher will reward a bad grade and lying to a boss will result in the termination of a position, so lying on the internet should also be reprimanded.
Some credible news agencies are also to blame for the spread misinformation. Accidents occur but conspiracy is planned. I believe that it is very clear who the credible news sources are in our nation. I receive the most neutral info from the Democrat Gazette. It is unfortunate that local papers are becoming less prevalent, but I think this is where the internet can help.
If local papers create an online presence, then perhaps less people will trust random information on the web.
The effect of the internet upon an individual is founded in the experiences they have prior to accessing the web. The internet is a library, and like any library you can browse the shelves, but most people will navigate towards a genre that interests them.
The most impressive feature of the internet is free expression and free information. The internet allows users absolute freedom in a digital atmosphere without consequence. It allows groups, good and bad, to organize, create, and commune with one another across great distances. For all its flaws, the internet has helped more than it has harmed. The argument to regulate, alter and inhibit the freedom of the internet poses an interesting question. How much digital freedom should we be allowed and does altering access to that freedom inhibit a person free speech and expression. Obviously, the answer is yes, altering the internet from what is now would reshape our concepts of free speech and expression. Currently the internet is a forum information riddled with opinion, misinformation and hyperbole.
In order to ensure that such a powerful tool is not used for malicious purposes the government should pass more legislation that holds tech companies responsible for misinformation. Lying in court is not allowed, lying to a teacher will reward a bad grade and lying to a boss will result in the termination of a position, so lying on the internet should also be reprimanded.
Some credible news agencies are also to blame for the spread misinformation. Accidents occur but conspiracy is planned. I believe that it is very clear who the credible news sources are in our nation. I receive the most neutral info from the Democrat Gazette. It is unfortunate that local papers are becoming less prevalent, but I think this is where the internet can help.
If local papers create an online presence, then perhaps less people will trust random information on the web.