subject: Free Speech On Satellite Internet [print this page] Citizens of the United States were given the right of free speech as one of the first amendments of the Bill of Rights. Freedom of speech is one of the greatest rewards given to people. One of the first things oppressive governments wish to control are peoples ability to speak out against their government and say what they want. Anyone that reads in the internet or newspapers in the USA knows this is not the case in the states. Satellite internet provides people around the world the opportunity to express themselves and read what others have to say.
Internet is a place where people can speak their mind and have their voices heard. They can blog, send out emails, make videos of themselves, write articles, and even create their own websites expressing their views and opinions. Newspapers, magazines, and books used to be some of the only places where freedom of speech came into effect. The internet combines all three of these mediums and includes many more. Blogging and twittering and two popular sources for people around the world to express themselves. Users dont have to necessarily read these posts, but freedom of speech on the internet allows people to speak their mind.
Around the world, satellite internet provides the opportunity for people in oppressive countries to read about foreign lands and create their own opinion about politics and human rights. It is a source of education that their homeland might not afford them the right to. Some countries to not allow women the right to receive a full education like the men of the country. Internet gives the women the chance to educate themselves about politics, events, and cultures. Its a place where people can open their minds to different concepts about what the world is like. Rather than simply take their governments word, they have the chance to formulate their own opinion based on extensive research done online.
Country leaders such as Hugo Chavez in Venezuela attempt to use the government to control the airwaves. He controls what type of music is played on the radio and what is shown on the television. Chavez puts himself on air every day, speaking out against capitalism and the United States. Instead of encouraging his countryman to have their own opinions, he attempts to manipulate them into thinking the same way he does. Those who cannot afford a computer with satellite internet have only him to hear and watch. In a way, Chavez wants to keep his countrymen poor in order to better control the media.
However, Venezuela is experiencing a problem with the younger generation. The younger generation is getting online, accessing the internet, and reading about world events. They have a better scope of what is going on in the world outside of Venezuela. The young population is also attempting to speak out against the leader; thus, Chavez is not pleased. Freedom of speech is something most Americans tend to take for granted. They often forget that not everyone around the world is afforded the same rights. However, satellite broadband is allowing more people in different countries to speak their mind and hear what others have to say.
