Internet censorship is a controversial issue. In China, the government strictly censors the internet, blocking over 18,000 websites including Wikipedia, YouTube, and Facebook. Certain search terms are also blocked and people have been imprisoned for their anti-government online activities. While China censors the internet, Australia also engages in some level of internet censorship. There are arguments both for and against internet censorship, with concerns around restricting access to information versus protecting citizens.

1. INTERNET CENSORSHIP

2. Internet Censorship in Australia

3. Internet Censorship in Australia

4. What do we mean by censor?censor - ban: forbid the public distribution of ( a movie or a newspaper)censor - someone who censures or condemnscensor - subject to political, religious, or moral censorship; "This magazine is censored by the government"

5. The situation in China…Strictest censorship in the worldAt least 18, 000 websites are blocked. These include wikipedia, YoutubeFacebook, flicker. China have their own version of Google – www.google.cnCertain search engine TERMs are blockedThere are people in gaol for their anti-government online activities

6. People are paid to make pro-Government comments on blogsThe situation in China…In December 2009, the Gmail accounts of known human rights activists were hacked.It is thought the hackers were Govt. officialsGoogle is reviewing operations in China.They do not wish to continue censoring Google searches in China.

7. “It is the not function of government to keep the citizen from falling into error…

8. What do you think? Discuss this quote with your group…it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error.”Robert H Jackson. Former US Judge

9. Your individual research task…Choose one point (FOR or AGAINST Internet censorship) to research. Find some evidence to back it up.Evidence can include more facts, details, examples, statistics, a comment from an expert or stake holder. WRITE IT DOWN including details of where you found the info.

10. Task 2: Interview a classmateWrite at least 3 questions about this issueMake sure the questions are open questions. For example:Open: What is your view on Internet censorship?Closed: Do you think the internet should be censored? Now, interview a classmate. Record your interview using Photobooth or a video camera

11. bibliographyBBC news (2010), ‘Google may pull out of China..’ [Internet] BBC news. Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8455712.stm. Accessed 3.3.2010Wikipedia (2010), ‘Censorship in china’, [Internet]Wikipedia, Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_china, Accessed 3.3.2010Electronic Frontiers Australia, (1995) ‘Internet censorship in Australia’ [Internet] EFA, Available at www.efa.org.au › Issues › Censorship, Accessed: 3.3.2010