Where does Obama stand on censorship?
June 4, 2008 – 8:17 pm
Barack Obama. You’ve heard his name 400 times today, so why not once more. Here’s a brief look at Obama’s policies on media censorship and net neutrality:
Television, Film and Internet Censorship:
‘…As a parent, yes, I am concerned about what’s coming over the airwaves. Now, right now, my daughters mostly are on Nickelodeon, but they know how to work that remote. And, you know, the primary responsibility is for parents. And I reject the notion of censorship as an approach to dealing with this problem.‘
Barack Obama, Democratic Debate January 31, 2008 - 20:00 ET Kodak Theatre LA
Policy extract (source): ‘Barack Obama believes that the openness of the new media world should be seen as an opportunity as much as some see it as a threat. We live in the most information-abundant age in history and the people who develop the skills to utilize its benefits are the people who will succeed in the 21st century. But Barack Obama also recognizes that lurking out there are the darker corners of the media world: from Internet predators to hateful messages to graphic violence and sex.’
‘Obama values our First Amendment freedoms and our right to artistic expression and does not view regulation as the answer to these concerns. Instead, an Obama administration will give parents the tools and information they need to control what their children see on television and the Internet in ways fully consistent with the First Amendment.’
- ‘Obama will work to give parents the tools to prevent reception of programming that they find offensive on television and on digital media. Private entities like Common Sense Media are pursuing a ?sanity not censorship? approach, which can serve as a model for how to use technology to empower parents without offending the First Amendment.’
- ‘Obama will encourage industry not to show inappropriate adult-oriented commercial advertising during children?s programming.’
- ‘On the Internet, Obama will require that parents have the option of receiving parental controls software that not only blocks objectionable Internet content but also prevents children from revealing personal information through their home computer.’
- ‘To further protect children online, Obama supports tough penalties, increased enforcement resources and forensic tools for law enforcement, and collaboration between law enforcement and the private sector to identify and prosecute people who abuse the Internet to try to exploit children.’
Network neutrality
Policy extract (source): ‘A key reason the Internet has been such a success is because it is the most open network in history. It needs to stay that way. Barack Obama strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet. Users must be free to access content, to use applications, and to attach personal devices.’
‘Obama will protect the Internet?s traditional openness to innovation and creativity and ensure that it remains a platform for free speech and innovation that will benefit consumers and our democracy.’
Sensible policy. Read it all on his website. Aussie pollies please take note.
4 Responses to “Where does Obama stand on censorship?”
While I find distastful the tendency we have to blindly follow America where she do go. I think in this case it might be a wise move. Pity I can’t vote for Obama
By Stevian on Jun 5, 2008
I think many of us are hesitant of following US policy after so many years of George W and John H. Things will hopefully change for the better if Obama wins.
By Mike on Jun 5, 2008
I can give you a first hand example of from my experince living in a place where censorship was a fact of life. How was it like you asked? Well, life “seemed” to be so simple and everything “seemed” to be going just fine providing we gave our full supports to the reigning government.
In reality of course everything was not dandy. In fact you felt as if your intelligence was questioned by the reigning government. Thankfully the so called revolution took place and the values of democracy emerged at every pores of the young state. Critics questioning the “forbidden” topics; the government’s credibility snatched the prime spots on TV talk shows and major publications. It was liberating.
Hence, I really do wish Australia,an active ambassador for Democracy endorsement to its neighbours in Asia-Pacific rim, will not resort to censorships in dealing with social issues within its soil. Afterall, one of its closest neighbour, the country which has been Australia’s notorius nemesis in terms of the practice of democracy has opted to exercise democracy by allowing its people to express their freedom of speech. I’d say follow Obama’s foot step, for once it is okay for us to ask how high when America asks us to jump.
By Unjaded on Jun 6, 2008
For the most part, parents can turn the television off. My son only watches the Discovery Channel and perhaps some fun shows like Hell’s Kitchen.
That said, there has to be some discretion, some basic standards of decency in public programming. I don’t want porn coming on after Spongebob… because it’s not natural for the kids to be exposed to that stuff.
In fact, I think we should consider thinking about how we are built as human beings and what is good for us. If we lived a little closer to nature, we might roll our eyes at the BS on the television, then head out on the porch with some whiskey, a little tobacco, and play a little bluegrass… maybe play some poker with the neighbors and watch the kids playing in the yard.
By Joe on Jun 17, 2008