Truth is a powerful solvent

Truth is a powerful solvent. Stone walls melt before its unbroken might. The Internet is one of the most powerful agents of freedom. It exposes truth to those who wish to see and hear it. It is no wonder that some governments and organizations fear the internet and its ability to make the truth known. The phrase “freedom of speech” is often used to characterize a key element of democratic societies: open communication and especially open government. But freedom of speech is less than half of the equation. It is also vital that citizens have the freedom to hear and see, gaining access to information that their governments wish to withhold from them.

The equation is even more complex than simply speaking, hearing or writing, reading. The internet is much like a piece of paper. The paper is unaware of what is written upon it. The internet is equally oblivious. It delivers information and misinformation with equal facility. Thus it can become a tool for the delivery of bad data. This effect may be propagated less by design than by ignorance. It surprises me how often I will find a harsh warning in my email inbox forwarded to me by someone who should know better, proclaiming that the post office is going to start charging for email or that Microsoft will pay for the forwarding of each copy of the enclosed message. These are all hoaxes but readers are too lazy or perhaps too stupid to take the time to check before they forward.

The solution for bad information is not censorship but more better information. Of course, this places a burden on the consumer of information to pay attention and to think critically about what is seen and heard. Surely this is what a responsible citizen should be doing. And surely this is what we should be teaching our children at home and at school. Many governments do want to limit the information itscitizens can reach. In some cases the motivations are understandable and even worthy. I can see no redeeming value in child pornography and I support efforts to erase it from the Internet. But those of us living in free societies have been warned repeatedly that censorship is a slippery slope and must be treated with the greatest care. I see many responsibilities on the table for effective use of the Internet. Citizens must do their best to guard against government for political purposes. At the same time, they are responsible for trying to distinguish useful and truthful information from bad quality information and must therefore exercise critical thinking about what they see and hear. And that responsibility extends to all media, not only the Internet. Moreover, where disinformation or misinformation exists, thoughtful citizens have a responsibility to draw attention to the problem, possibly even to provide information to counteract the bad data. Furthermore, citizens must bear in mind that not all relevant information is online and that thoroughness dictates examination of material from other sources than the Internet before concluding that due diligence has been taken. There are no electronic filters that separate truth from fiction. We have nothing but one tool to apply i.e. critical thinking. Here is an opportunity to educate us all. We truly must think about what we see and hear.

We must evaluate and select. We must choose our guides.

In this 21st century information age, Internet has significant responsibilities. They must guard against abusive censorship. They must take responsibility for thoughtful use of the Internet and the World Wide Web and other information services and appliances yet to come. Free flow of information has a price and responsible internet will shoulder the burden of paying it.