Government intervention over ISPs has free speech implications
27 March 2019
The Government has set a dangerous precedent for free speech by asking ISPs to continue blocking certain websites, says
the Free Speech Coalition.
Free Speech Coalition spokesman Dr David Cumin says, “The Free Speech Coalition didn’t challenge the original decision
of ISPs to block these websites. They are after all private enterprises, and concerned customers have the option of
using a competitor.”
“However, a threat to free speech has emerged with the Government’s intervention. Governments don’t just ‘ask kindly’
for companies to block content – any request from those with regulatory power comes with an implicit threat of ‘…or
else’.”
“A worst case scenario would be the Government using the excuse of one objectionable video to block entire websites that
host content authorities dislike for political reasons. Even if the current Government’s intentions are pure, its
actions set a precedent that should be resisted to prevent any abuse in future.”
ENDS