Internet architecture, freedom of expression and social responsibility: critical realism and proposals for a better future

Abstract

The article opens by explaining the architecture of the Internet. Given its present raison d'être, a free highway allowing maximum freedom, one may argue that the bounds of free expression are broader in scope on the Net compared with the bounds of legitimate speech allowed on other forms of communication. Contesting this assertion, it is argued that legally speaking, there is no difference between electronic communication and other forms of communication. I probe some problematic forms of expression: terrorism, criminal activity, and cyberbullying, arguing that freedom of expression is important but so is social responsibility. The article concludes by offering a new paradigm Internet for the future called CleaNet©. CleaNet© will be sensitive to prevailing cultural norms of each and every society and will be clean of content that the society deems to be dangerous and antisocial. No cyberbullying, child pornography, hateful bigotry, criminal activity, and terrorist material will be available on the new Net. Netusers, with the cooperation of ISPs and web-hosting companies, will together decide which content will be considered illegitimate and unworthy to be excluded from CleaNet©.

Keywords:

• Internet architecture
• CleaNet©
• Netcitizen
• social responsibility
• Jürgen Habermas
• deliberative democracy

Notes

1. In 1998, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was established. It is a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation with participants from across the world dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. ICANN promotes competition and develops policy on the Internet's unique identifiers. It does not control Internet content, cannot stop spam, and it does not deal with access to the global network.

2. Among them are the Center for Democracy and Technology, http://cdt.org/; the Electronic Frontier Foundation, http://www.eff.org/; the Electronic Privacy Information Center, http://epic.org/; the Global Internet Liberty Campaign, http://gilc.org/; the Internet Society, http://www.isoc.org/; the Association for Progressive Communication, http://www.apc.org; Save the Internet, http://savetheinternet.com/

3. Netcitizens are also called Netizens. While it is possible to speak of “good” and “bad” citizens, the term “Netcitizen” as adopted here has only positive connotations, referring to concerned Internet users who utilize the Net in multi positive, social, responsible, nonabusive ways, and who are willing to be proactive in promoting social Internet environment.

4. For a contrasting view, see Christians and Traber (1997), Swidler (1999), and Fackler and Fortner (2010).

5. On the notion of respect, see Dworkin (1985, 181–204), Dworkin (1977), Cohen-Almagor (1994), and Abel (1998).

6. http://www.bartleby.com/130/3.html. The philosophies of Kant and J. S. Mill are obviously very different. All I am saying that they complement one another in the way outlined here and that some of their basic principles became the underpinning values of present liberal democracy.

7. See, for instance, discussions on Internet censorship in various countries, http://www.amnestyusa.org/search/node/internet%20censorship; http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA41/008/2006; http://bsimmons.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/internet-repression-in-iran/; Internet repression in Syria, http://www.menassat.com/?q=en/news-articles/1711-syria-more-victims-internet-repression; Internet repression in Ethiopia, http://cyberethiopia.com/home/content/view/26/; http://nazret.com/blog/index.php?title=ethiopia_blocks_opposition_web_sites&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

8. Details with author.

9. DDC is a network of practitioners and researchers representing more than 50 organizations and universities, collaborating to strengthen the field of deliberative democracy. The Consortium supports research activities and aims to advance practice at all levels of government around the world. http://www.deliberative-democracy.net/