Should governments be able to block websites?

[neverforget98]

I think that governments should stay outta peoples lives on the internet. The only time they should take action, is if there is a copyright infringement, if there is an impersonation of an official, or if someone is breaking the law residing in their country. Otherwise, I think they should let their population be able to fend for themselves on the internet, and they should just stop. Like, I know some countries are now blocking Co.Cc domains, that's pathetic.

[MyDigitalpoint]

This is so true, freedom of speech is being violated as it is freedom of choice, which is another practice that governments are blocking to favor some monopolies.

I'm currently in Mexico and I'm unable to access my Playlist.com playlist that displays a message saying there is a country restriction to the music library due to a government request asking them to prevent access in order that people go to a local media website to buy the content that is free otherwise.

And being here I have found other sites blocking access from this country, apologizing because is not their will to restrict access but government requests to force people pay for crap content, because locally not all the informations, music, videos, etc. are available.

[pqnation]

While I do think that the people should be able to do and publish whatever they want, the Government should also reverse itself the right to shut down or erase any unwanted material. The internet is a very powerful tool where information just gets passed around pretty much without any sort of regulation. There is certain information that should be handled with discretion and is not for everyone to know.

[neverforget98]

This is so true, freedom of speech is being violated as it is freedom of choice, which is another practice that governments are blocking to favor some monopolies.

I'm currently in Mexico and I'm unable to access my Playlist.com playlist that displays a message saying there is a country restriction to the music library due to a government request asking them to prevent access in order that people go to a local media website to buy the content that is free otherwise.

And being here I have found other sites blocking access from this country, apologizing because is not their will to restrict access but government requests to force people pay for crap content, because locally not all the informations, music, videos, etc. are available.

Alright, that is a major pathetic move for the Mexican Government. Like, they blocked Playlist.com? Did they block Youtube too? Like, that's ridiculous!

[artistry]

There are freedom of speech rights in the US, are there not the same rights in the UK? If there are no issues regarding national security or such, the government should not block the release of information to the public. Regarding the bomb making instructions, it's easier to research on the internet, but if someone wanted instructions, wouldn't they be able to visit a public library and obtain the same information? There would not be any way to control a person, bent on destructive behavior. The law would have to be one step ahead of the potential perpetrator.

[MyDigitalpoint]

It's supposed that freedom of speech rights are similar from one country to another, but in the real-life practice, many governments implement repressive tactics to silence what they think should not be expressed.

And such repression often includes killing journalists to stop that freedom.

[br0wnie]

I don't think governments should ban any site unless its extremely bad for everyone (CP, Drug Selling Sites, Killing Sites, etc)

[Billy Mays]

In my country alot of sites have been blocked and there is nothing we can do about it, Sadly this is the democracy of our own government, And we can't prevent it, Democracy here isn't like democracy in America, if you speak out you're more then likely to be busted, but alot of governments don't like that, Free speech impales that everyone can say something while finding a loophole to block it, so it's more then likely they can.

In this new age all governments want to watch what we say, and make sure we don't say anything that might damage/infringe their wealthy reputation, it's too late cause most governments have already shown their true colors.

I hate censorship And I'm sure everyone else here does. but when it comes tot he government i guess you can't fight city hall as they say.

[rowebil]

I don't think so. I think they have a right to do something to the Internet, just not block EVERYTHING like SOPA was trying to do. I think we should be able to use material for fair-use.

[HiddenKnowledge]

I don't think so. I think they have a right to do something to the Internet, just not block EVERYTHING like SOPA was trying to do. I think we should be able to use material for fair-use.

I don't think anyone is permitted to do anything to the internet like closing websites, including goverments, without permission from the court.
That way, people can fight the decisions.