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When does Internet Freedom begin and end?

Published by Afterschool.my on Nov 08, 2012, 06:37 am

People have freedom to do what they want until it impacts on someone else --- and this case, a reputable institution of higher learning.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has finally made its decision to take disciplinary action against Alvin Tan's inappropriate conduct. NUS concluded that his actions were detrimental to the reputation of the university.

In a written reply, an NUS spokesman said the disciplinary board had considered the seriousness of the offence and taken into account the mitigating factors presented by Tan in a hearing on Oct 31.

“The board has concluded that Tan's inappropriate conduct was detrimental to the reputation and dignity of the university.

“We have informed him of the board's decision,” said the spokesman, who declined to elaborate on the type of punishment to be meted out.

Is there such thing as absolute freedom online?

Information wants to be free and the Internet seems to foster it.
In the words of John Gilmore, one of the founders of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, "the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it." Because of the Internet's robust design it is completely difficult to block information except in very limited and controlled circumstances.
"Absolute freedom", the ability to make a choice and act on it completely detached from the input, control, or otherwise influence of persons or society, is something most online content creators want yet difficult to attain.
For as long as there are people, there will be influence. Whether directly or indirectly, we will find ourselves constantly influenced by others.

When is Internet Freedom needed most?

We certainly don't have to wait for a government that will decide on what constitutes “decent” online content and forbid speech or expression by shutting down the Internet. We can start now by being more conscientious of what we share online.
In this age of social media, it can be easy to share everything. But if you’re engaging in a social network, a blog for instance, you cannot afford major missteps in your online presence.
You can still exercise your rights and be a “real” person without having to overshare.
  • Get your facts straight - Are your information sources reliable?
  • Think before you post - Is it necessary to divulge personal information?
  • Before you hit publish, find out how will this impact others - Will this also affect the institution you represent?
  • Avoid making venting or ranting a regular feature in your blog - Create content that inspires and motivates people to think and act for a good cause.
  • Will this posting be something you might regret in the near future? Remember, most employers reject applicants over online info.
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