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Freedom of Speech on the Internet by Anne Fiedler, Ph.D. Core Values Core Values Emphasized in this Learning Module Integrity Standing up for your beliefs about what is right and what is wrong and resisting social pressure to do wrong. Are the appropriate and inappropriate uses of the anonymity provided by the internet? Are there ways to discourage malicious use of the internet such as its use in "cyber-bullying"? Honesty Dealing truthfully with people, being sincere, not deceiving them nor stealing from them, not cheating nor lying. Because no one polices the information posted on the internet, there is a danger that false information will be posted or that true information will be misrepresented or misinterpreted. Some countries restrict what is posted. Is this a good way to deal with fraudulent postings? Respect Showing regard for the worth and dignity of someone or something, being courteous and polite, and judging all people on their merits. It takes three major forms: respect for oneself, respect for other people, and respect for all forms of life and the environment. Some websites, such as the American Nazi Party site, encourage discrimination. Should the principles of protection of freedom of speech extend that far or should such websites be censored? Responsibility Thinking before you act and being accountable for your actions, paying attention to others, and responding to their needs. Responsibility emphasizes our positive obligations to care for each other. How do we determine who is to be held responsible for posting material that harms someone else? For example, if people post embarrassing information or embarrassing photographs of someone else on their MySpace sites in order to demeans someone else, is it the responsibility of MySpace to police its domain and remove such information? Should a website provider be held responsible for what an individual posts on the site?

Freedom of Speech on the Internet

by Anne Fiedler, Ph.D.

Core Values

Core Values Emphasized in this Learning Module

Integrity Standing up for your beliefs about what is right and what is wrong and resisting social pressure to do wrong. Are the appropriate and inappropriate uses of the anonymity provided by the internet? Are there ways to discourage malicious use of the internet such as its use in "cyber-bullying"?

Honesty Dealing truthfully with people, being sincere, not deceiving them nor stealing from them, not cheating nor lying. Because no one polices the information posted on the internet, there is a danger that false information will be posted or that true information will be misrepresented or misinterpreted. Some countries restrict what is posted. Is this a good way to deal with fraudulent postings?
Respect Showing regard for the worth and dignity of someone or something, being courteous and polite, and judging all people on their merits. It takes three major forms: respect for oneself, respect for other people, and respect for all forms of life and the environment. Some websites, such as the American Nazi Party site, encourage discrimination. Should the principles of protection of freedom of speech extend that far or should such websites be censored?
Responsibility Thinking before you act and being accountable for your actions, paying attention to others, and responding to their needs. Responsibility emphasizes our positive obligations to care for each other. How do we determine who is to be held responsible for posting material that harms someone else? For example, if people post embarrassing information or embarrassing photographs of someone else on their MySpace sites in order to demeans someone else, is it the responsibility of MySpace to police its domain and remove such information? Should a website provider be held responsible for what an individual posts on the site?