HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
Writing a Persuasive Essay
by Anthony K. of Morrison Christian Academy
in Taichung, Taiwan
Censored!
INTRODUCTION
Attentiongrabbing opener
Is Internet censorship right? That is the question millions
of people around the world are asking themselves— people like
you and me who freely surf the Web every day reading the
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
latest news or simply checking our e-mail. This freedom that
we exercise daily is in danger of becoming another
Opinion
statement
government-regulated part of our lives. The Internet is a world
of information which may be freely accessed by all; it should
stay that way.
BODY/Addresses
There are several arguments for and against the
counterargument
government’s proposal for Internet regulations. Many people
think the Internet should be censored because it gives underage
surfers open access to undesirable material. The Internet can be
freely accessed by anyone, including minors, and it is a place
where people can freely exercise their constitutionally
guaranteed freedom of speech. It is no secret that the Internet
First reason:
Logical appeal
contains undesirable material, but whether or not an underage
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
Writing a Persuasive Essay
“netizen” has access to that type of information can be
controlled by that child’s parents or guardian. Programs such as
Fact
NetNanny and Surf-Watch are two of many programs that
provide protection against undesirable sites. There is no need
Emotional appeal
for government intervention when the solution is so simple.
The argument for Internet censorship based upon open access
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
to this undesirable material is understandable, but since adults
are capable of making the right decision to avoid such sites and
protection is available for the underage surfer, access to
unwanted material can be controlled without government
regulations. However, those who do not feel satisfied with
home control will be gratified to hear that there is a major
Internet movement for private regulation.
Second reason:
Logical appeal
Not only can people control the Internet at home, but
many sites are registering with protection companies to protect
Facts
the underaged. These companies provide password protection
for sites containing undesirable material. Support for this action
has been tremendous. One of the largest site protection
companies protects over 10,988 sites to date. Users register
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
Writing a Persuasive Essay
with credit cards to one of these companies and are provided
with an account. They in turn use this account to access the
protected sites. Since an account requires a credit card, it limits
underage access considerably. Because these companies can
efficiently limit underage access, it is a viable option to
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
government control.
Third reason:
Ethical appeal
Internet regulation by the government would lead to
other problems, such as how to enforce censorship regulations
effectively. The government could not charge people to access
the Internet, so how would it enforce it without monitoring
Emotional appeal
which sites people visit? Talk about “Big Brother” looking
over your shoulder. The government could not regulate Internet
traffic without invading our privacy. Privacy is important to all
of us and there would be no sure way to protect it if
government regulation of the Internet is allowed.
Fourth reason:
Ethical appeal
Internet censorship would also create problems abroad.
America should not force its laws on foreign countries. Ever
hear the phrase “Why doesn’t America mind its own
business?” That is what other countries are asking. Many
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
Writing a Persuasive Essay
countries have spoken out against U.S. Internet regulations
because they do not think America has any right to tell them
what they can and cannot do. They are absolutely right; the
American government has no right to enforce its censorship
laws on other countries.
Fifth reason:
Logical appeal
From a domestic point of view, the American
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
government has the right to exercise control over its own
citizens, right? Wrong, at least in this case. Government
propositions such as the Communications Decency Act (CDA)
and the Telecommunications Act are direct violations of the
freedom of speech guaranteed to us in the first amendment.
Example
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercising thereof; or abridging
the freedom of speech . . .” (Excerpt from the First
Amendment). Did you catch the last part? In black and white,
our freedom of speech is protected from government control.
Emotional and
ethical appeals
It should anger every American that our government
would so publicly try to abridge our freedom. The freedom of
speech has been a symbol of American society since it was first
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HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
Writing a Persuasive Essay
established in 1776 with the approval of the Declaration of
Independence. We condemn other countries for oppressing
their citizens’ freedom of speech. We shouldn’t allow our own
government to do the same thing to us.
CONCLUSION
Government censorship of the Internet is not required.
Summary of
reasons
There is no acceptable basis for government regulation when
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
private control is openly available. Most importantly, our
freedom of speech is too great a sacrifice. Some people argue
that some sort of scale could be implemented. While not a bad
idea, it brings up the problem of who decides what is
Restatement of
opinion
acceptable and unacceptable. The use of self-control is clearly
the best method of regulation. The Internet is open to millions
of people, each with different desires, ideas, and opinions who
can come together and freely communicate with one another.
Let’s keep it that way.
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