Internet Censorship: Is Government Control Just a Bill Away?
Sen. Joe Lieberman Proposes Law that Would Allow Federal Govt. To Take Control of Internet
Lieberman is chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. He co-authored the bill with Senator Susan Collins, Republican senator from Maine, and ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee.
Lieberman cites threats to national security through internet pipelines as his rationale for the need for such legislation. In a time of national crisis, the federal government would have the authority to seize or even switch off Internet capabilities nationwide.
The bill, called the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act (PCNAA), would give a wide berth of oversight and control to the NCCC, giving it authority over all internet service providers, software companies and search engines--or any company that "relies on" the internet or any other part of the U.S. "information infrastructure" to their list" (The Week).
In the event of a presidential declaration of national emergency, companies under the authority of the NCCC could be given any variety of instructions to perform. The companies would need to comply immediately or face monetary penalties.
Spokeswoman for the Homeland Security Committee, Leslie Phillips, made statements assuring that the legislation was not aimed at governmental control of private web services or specific websites, but only to that which could threaten national security if breached.
Wayne Crews, vice president of the free-enterprise think-tank company Competitive Enterprise Institute, expressed concern with the broad wording in the current proposed legislation, giving the federal government too much latitude for interpretation. Crews is concerned that if passed, the PCNAA could limit freedom of speech via the internet.
Sources: The Week
The Daily Beast
Published by L.L. Woodard
Freelance writer/editor and freelance observer of life. Three decades of nursing experience in long-term care, from development of team care planning to hands-on patient care. View profile
- National SecurityA brief overview into what National Security really is, and if we really need it...
- Will China Show the Department of Homeland Security the Way?China provides its citizens with identity cards fitted with computer chips that let authorities instantly know a citizen's background. At the same time, the Department of Homeland Security provides states with funding...
- Homeland Security Moves Beyond First Responders to Investigate Suspicious ActivityThe next hero in the effort to discover terrorist activity in your neighborhood may come from your lawn or maid service and not the FBI. Homeland Security is beginning a real grass roots effort.
- Homeland Security Bachelor's DegreeSince the September 11, 2001, Twin Towers tragedy, there has been an increasing need for the United States to think about and prepare itself for homeland security jobs and homeland security careers.
- New Head of Homeland Security: Jack BauerJack Bauer, the new head of Homeland Security.
- National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive
- Fire Fighters Association Wants Homeland Security Funding Bill Signed
- Joe Lieberman Retains His Senate Chairmanship
- Internet... BEWARE! (Part 1)
- TCP/IP In-Depth Description (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol)
- Is the Internet Still a Resource for Information?
- Where the Candidates Stand on the Necessity of Dismantling the Dept. Of Homeland S...
6 Comments
Post a CommentThis is a very important concept.
Not sure what to think of this. It would have to be a pretty big emergency to justify this.
I heard last night that it would be left within the president's power to shut it down if he so choose. Anyone else hear that or is it just a rumor?
I wonder if Memmay is right and they are all ready doing this and we just don't know it.
Absolutely amazing topic and article. You present a great argument. To me it seems every year Americans lose just a little more freedom.
I am sure they already do this.