Indonesia Criminalizes Premarital Sex

A new criminal code is being imposed which will restrict sex before marriage. Doing so would result up to a year in jail if charged. Indonesia has democratic structures, but religion undermines them. The law also places restrictions on cohabitation between unmarried couples . Foreigners visiting or temporarily in Indonesia are not exempt from the criminal code. Women are going to be impacted by this disproportionately. The conservative interpretation of Islam is not compatible with a democratic system. Indonesia is placing more restrictions on its citizens personal freedom. The president or state institutions are not to be vituperated. Protests are  now going to have authorized notification before taking place. Expressing views that do not support state ideology could result in punishment. The new criminal codes will go into effect three years. How the law will be enforced and regulated remains uncertain. Indonesia could be falling back into a regime similar to that of Suharto. The awful legacy of the colonial criminal code still haunts the country. Attempts to change it were done in 2019, but failed. The motivation for President Joko Widodo is clear. Upcoming elections are the reason he wanted the bill passed in parliament. Votes can be gained from the more conservative religious constituents and opposition parties can be censored. The law is presented as protecting family values and Islam. What it is designed to do is create a semi-authoritarian regime. Indonesia gradually could be come more theocratic in the coming years. Women, the LGBT, and the tourism industry are going to be negatively impacted. Investments from other nations might be withdrawn from Indonesia. A theocratic regime cannot produce stability or economic progress.  

Anti-French Protests In Chad

 

Chad has erupted in protests against France. Frustration has grown over the military control of government and French influence over internal affairs. Chadians are seeing their government as a puppet regime to Paris and now are taking action. The Transitional Military Council has the full support of France. Chad has been an essential partner in the country's attempt to establish a sphere of influence in Africa. Since the death of President Idriss Deby the Chad has been in a state of discord.  French linked  businesses were attacked in N' Djamena. The real power in the country has been concentrated in Mahamat Idriss. Son of the former president, he has not made any decrees about returning to a civilian government. The targets of attacks were petrol stations operated by the French company Total Energies.  France has troops in West Africa under the excuse of fighting terrorism. While armed conflict has been present in West Africa, a French military presence does not help. Chad hosts a  French military base in Chad's capital N' Djamena. Rumors have been circulating that France was intending to build more. Currently there is  estimated to be  1,000 French troops at the base. Occupation is a catalyst for terrorism and protests. The demand to expel the French, have democratic reforms, and basic rights is growing. The Transitional Military Council can only survive with French assistance. Mahamat Idriss might be slowly making his way to consolidate power through repression and French aid. This will not deter the demonstrations, which have been happening since 2021. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Being Maladjusted ( 1967)

 

Maladjusted is a term used by psychology to describe being unable to function in a normal social environment. Martin Luther King stated he was proud to be maladjusted to the ills of society. Racism, economic inequality, religious intolerance,  and war  are not attributes of a normal social environment. American society made these defects  seem like normalcy. Maybe it is not so much about  people having maladjustment,  rather a  sick society. The United States has failed to protect the rights of it citizens or ensure racial equality. Corporate capture of government has disempowered the voters. Martin Luther King had to fight racial discrimination, militarism, and the oppression of the working class. The movement for freedom and rights is a normal response to a country in dysfunction . By the late 1960 civil unrest, racial tension, and aggression in Southeast Asia escalated. The vision of a peaceful America that King wanted has not come to fruition. Being maladjusted is to response  to a nation that creates discord and despair among its population.  

Why Citizens Stop Voting

 Liberal democracy faces many challenges. Corruption, the rise of xenophobic nativist nationalism, and economic inequality have become major concerns. Voter suppression and corporate influence make democracy unattainable. There can never be true freedom if a ruling class has the majority of the power. A more troubling trend for democratic systems is  non-participation. Millions of people in democratic governments do not vote. Citizens who were once enthusiastic about voting become disillusioned with the process. There are multiple reasons why people do not vote. Some may not be interested in politics or understand the system. Others may not see the relevance to their lives. A large portion of the public has become frustrated with politics and the general lack of progress. Voters may consistently vote for a certain candidate or party, but do not see substantive change. Incremental approaches to certain issues just are not adequate when circumstances are dire. Voters want to see or at minimal see that there are tangibles produced. The majority of  liberal democracies have two party systems or multiparty systems. The  dominant parties are either conservative, centre-left, or liberal in political ideology. Voters are normally left with a choice between either two parties. While some countries do have multiple political parties, they just do not have enough support to be formidable. This means citizens of a state do not have a variety in choice, rather two options. Realizing this, those running for political office do not have to produce significant results. The "lesser of two evils" has been a term used in American politics to describe this phenomenon. A leader does not have to do too much for their  constituency,  based on the fact voters will comeback based on the opposition. Both parliamentary and presidential systems function on this voter behavior. Senators, congressmen, and members of parliament became reliant on this fact.  When voters come to the conclusion that change will not happen, they disengage. The lugubrious political reality is that their vote has been weakened and that public servants have failed them. Leaders who seek  revolutionary change are either ostracized or condemned by the wider society. Without  real representation certain groups of society do not vote. Once dedicated voters become disillusioned. Others completely reject political participation, because they believe leaders will never embrace new solutions to persistent problems. 

       A growing number of  loyal voters are becoming disillusioned. This makes them become non-voters which has increased by millions of people. The reason once dedicated voters no longer are active is based on the fact leaders do not fulfill obligations of political office. The expectation is that certain problems will be solved, rather than just empty promises. New solutions and specific policies must be enacted to keep the public engaged. After many elections in a person's life time, without effective change there are many ways in which citizens react. Their are either dramatic turns to the left or right. A genuine leftist party in the case of the US does not exist rather a centrist Democratic Party that fails to adjust to the evolving political conditions. The option for the voter is to keep voting more conservative, which has dire repercussions. The more logical line of thought when faced with unfavorable choices is not to select one. If  either candidate does nothing to improve or at minimum challenge the status quo, then voting would make no sense. Citizens vote with the idea that their voices and concerns will be heard. The only true guarantee of service is being part of the corporate structure, being of the highest socioeconomic status, or connections to lobbying organizations. The average citizen is low priority in relation to donors of political parties. Realizing that unconventional participation has limitations, the frustration only increases. If material conditions get worse, it could mean insurrection in a society. Building an efficient and effective  government takes time. Yet, there are political forces that are actively preventing votes from having power. The Electoral College was designed to act as a consensus among popular election of a president and congressional selection. What the institution really does is prevent the voter's choice. Candidates running  for office are either selected by corporate power or supported by certain think thanks. Grassroots politics remains at a disadvantage compared to corporate politics. The disparity in resources makes it difficult for new leaders not subject to the elite class to be successful. Voters who are knowledgeable at some level understand this. Knowing their is very little chance for reforming the political system, people stop voting. 

       Some reject politics and voting itself because it has become intensely vitriolic. The mere act of disagreement has become grounds for extensive arguments. Expression a certain perspective becomes offensive to others. Although liberal democracies preach freedom, there seems to be a strong impulse for conformity in thought. Even with personal choice to participate or not to do so is met with scorn. Those who refuse to participate are criticized as not doing their duty as a citizen. The more vituperative accusations is that non-voters are either lazy or uninformed. Dedicated voters are shamed for which candidate they decide to vote for. The disrespect for personal choice and a difference in thought is not an example of a functioning democratic system. Rational discussion and debate have been silenced by partisan tribalism. Mass media only causes more political factionalism in countries that are divided among political, racial, class, and religious lines. This explains the developments in the US, France, and UK. Politics has become a large arena of anger and contention, which most people repudiate. It is no wonder that some would not be politically active with so much negativity present in the public sphere. The divide transcends a simple political  left and right paradigm. Sometimes it comes to reality versus politically constructed fiction. The various factions act as if they are in a war against some form of evil. The politics of fear transform into a vicious hate. Citizens see other citizens as enemies. The political contention spreads to other areas of life. Suddenly, everything becomes a political argument. Other perspectives, ideas ,  or opinions are regarded as farcical if they challenge the status quo or the general consensus among political factions. This is why new solutions to economic and social problems are difficult to implement. Devotion to a single mode of thought becomes more important than understanding the challenges of a state.   Non-voters may be disgusted with unprofessional conduct and  erratic behavior. 

        To keep people engaged, citizens need to be provided results . The loss in faith comes from not seeing any form of progress. When there is nothing to show for going to the polls, many may come to the conclusion the leadership is not worth supporting. Change does take time, but a slow gradual approach may not be enough to placate public demands. Voters may keep switching between various types of candidates during election cycles. After awhile this still may not produce the results that voters want to see. Understanding that particular changes will not happen, the  mass of non-voters grows. Those running for office must do more to earn a person's vote. Simply saying you are more qualified or making an empty promise is not enough. There needs to be a specific statement of polices related to economics, foreign, and domestic affairs. A plan of political action must be utilized to demonstrate a candidate for office is serious about the issues effecting average people.  Rhetoric about national unity or returning to some past era does not help people who are struggling now. Poverty and joblessness continues to effect millions. Economic inequality has not been challenged no matter who is elected to office. Racism and police brutality continue to remain a plague society, yet genuine reform has not materialized. Inaction becomes an indirect message to voters that politicians do not care. If leadership does not care about the populace, then there is no reason to vote. People need something to vote for, rather than against. Politicians became too comfortable with not providing anything, while winning elections by simply being an opposition candidate. Non-voters become frustrated, because they think that the majority of leadership does not care about the public. Votes must be earned and candidates must make more effort in terms of outreach. If this is not done more non-voters will increase in liberal democracies. 

      A growing sense of hopelessness has emerged among the section of the public. Voting can not stop the violence that comes from the state or radically alter the social structure. Dramatic change can only happen through revolution. Such events in history rarely came through a ballot box. The American revolution, Haitian revolution, Russian revolution, Mexican revolution, French revolution, and Cuban revolution would have never happened working within the existing political structure. Change could theoretically come through elected bodies on the condition that the ruling elite does not have too much control. Elected officials remain dependent on wealthy donors to finance campaigns. Thus, their ability to produces laws that would benefit the majority are limited.    Leadership would never advocate revolution. Instead there are suggestions of reform. The millions of people who do not vote see it as a practice in futility. Few attempt to understand their actions or see why this feeling of lugubriousness is prevalent. Leaders offer no impressive vision of the future. Politicians have become managers of a system in decline.  Ranked choice and third party options are a possible solution. However, two party systems seek to undermine smaller parties. Multi-party democracies have a number of parties with a certain amount of seats, yet not large enough to form a majority. Run off or snap elections just add to more complications in a political system. To an observer liberal democracy becomes a rather  disorderly form of government. Politics at its core is not about helping people, rather the management of power. The notion of republicanism and a responsive to the will of the citizens is a concept relatively new to human history. These ideas from the Enlightenment  spread in the 19th and 20th century. People become non-voters when it seems as if fighting the political structure is impossible. Voting is suppose to be a method in which a citizens uses their political power. Through powerful organizations, voter suppression, and electoral irregularities the citizen is depowered. Showing resistance to an oppressive political structure by voting may not be effective, because it only legitimizes it.    

        Liberal democracy's biggest threat may not be xenophobic nativist nationalism or economic collapse. It is the fact that the political structure has depowered the average citizen's vote. Corporate power has more representation making the political system less democratic. Some have become so vexed that they have abandoned voting completely. Lobbying, special interest groups, and the power of political action committees undermine the dedicated average voter. The majority do not question the political systems they were raised in. Conversations regarding  these problems are either ignored or labelled conspiracy theory. This explains why reactions to questioning the electoral system or voting in general are met with a negative reaction. Winning elections does not require large masses. Many times just a few groups are enough to make it possible. The large dilemma is when more people become non-voters. What this does is enable the people who do vote to select leaders who may be more extremist in political ideology. Fringe movements can gain more political respectability in such an environment. The unfortunate consequence of freedom also includes the ability to make the wrong choice. Voting is not an indication of a well functioning democracy. Abuse can happen by leaders who were enabled by the voters. If voters select leaders that act against their own interest, then this can have devastating consequences. Votes can also be weaponized. The right-wing political establishment has used people's prejudice and fears to gain votes. The centre-left  manipulates voters by demonizing progressives and socialism. The more astute can comprehend these tactics.  There is a level of corruption in government that needs to be addressed. As long as a ruling elite have an abnormal amount of influence and power, voting will not be enough to stop them. People stop voting due to the fact they have little power. That only leaves the option of general strike, protest, or mass insurrection.   

New Zealand Will Delay Elections Due to COVID -19

 

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announced that elections will be delayed at least until October. This is in response to the increase in COVID-19 infections. Observers thought that New Zealand had beat the disease and pandemic. Celebrating too early was a major miscalculation. Opening too soon as other countries have learned resulted in a wider spread of infection. While a new sense of urgency has come into the public consciousness, few have questioned the delay in  parliamentary elections . Delaying the elections would seem to give incumbents an advantage otherwise not present under normal circumstances. If New Zealand has a fully operational postal service, casting votes should not be an issue. The only problem would be ensuring that every vote cast is counted. The pandemic has finally resulted in one of the public's worst fears. World leaders will exploit the crisis to increase their power and gain unfair advantage. The political opposition the National Party also favors delays in elections. Judith Collins has went as far as to suggest making the elections be held in November. Being the leader of the opposition, there should be at least some alternative. The country enacted some of the strictest lockdowns and still are struggling with the pandemic. This should not be tolerated by citizens who want to vote and value the democratic process. Other countries such as Uganda and Vietnam have used COVID-19 as an excuse to limit freedom of their populations. Both Democratic and Authoritarian regimes use the pandemic to gain more political power.  

John Lewis US Congressman and Civil Rights Icon Has Passed Away

John Lewis a longtime civil rights activist and congressman passed away from pancreatic cancer. He served as US Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district since 1987. As a young man, Lewis was the chairman of SNCC. John Lewis became director of the Voter Education Project in 1970 and held that position until 1977. John Lewis was dedicated to keeping Dr. Martin Luther King's vision of peace and racial equality alive by being involved in causes for social justice. He opposed the US invasion of Iraq, promoted immigration reform, and supported gun control efforts. His death came at an unfortunate period in which America has become more divided and prejudiced. John Lewis' seat will be up for election, which is critical politically. As the nation continues to grapple with violence from law enforcement, racism, and xenophobia it is a reminder that progress can easily be reversed. The laws of segregation may have been defeated,but the ideology and hate have not. Lewis was an advocate of non-violent resistance. This tactic may not be useful in a country that is now threatening the use of military force against protesters. A new generation must become more innovative in techniques of stopping government abuse. Congressman Lewis worked to ensure human rights were respected in country that never really valued them. Civil rights and civil liberties are openly being attacked by a far-right resurgence . American citizens must undermine and fight this movement for the preservation of  free society.  

RIP C.T. Vivian ( 1924-2020)

Longtime civil rights activist Cordy Tindell Vivian passed away at the age of 95. A friend and ally of Martin Luther King, he was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. C.T. Vivian founded the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference. He served as national director for affiliates of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference  . Vivian continued to remain active even though the movement had come to a conclusion. During the 1970s he established the Black Action Strategies and Information Center, which worked to increase  workforce integration. C.T Vivian would continue to lecture and do public speaking for human rights promotion. 

The Importance of Internet Freedom

The creation of the internet enable more communication between people globally than one could ever think was possible. Ideas, information, and various movements can spread rapidly. Internet Freedom has given rise to digital media, e-commerce, and an evolving form of technology based activism. There have been calculated means to stop the progress of this new freedom by the ruling elite of the world. Net neutrality has been under attack by various governments and corporations who realize the power of the medium. Internet freedom offers a diverse alternative media, enables a new form of commerce, and allows for a forum of open discussion on various topics or issues. The major reason why internet freedom is so essential is that it provides a vast amount of knowledge  easily available to people who have access. Once the digital divide is closed, more people have access to information. There are still places in the world that do not have reliable internet access. It is only a matter of time before this changes. It will become more difficult for information to be suppressed or hidden from public view. The internet's creation did have negative consequences. Hacking, the spread of extremist ideology, and cybercrime have become common problems with widespread internet use. Prohibition of certain internet platforms would be counterproductive. Such suggestions are designed to either hinder the flow of information or end internet freedom completely. Arguments from suppressing internet freedom range from public safety, stopping online piracy, or crime prevention. The real motive behind this is for far-right and authoritarian elements to silence the voices of dissent. If social and political movements can be started by either websites, social media, or other digital platforms networks of oppression may not have a means to counter such speed. Internet freedom could be a means for radical change of the economic, political, and social structure.
        Internet freedom can ensure preservation of a functional free press. Many nations do not have this privilege. Nations with press protection face another problem of corporate domination of news. The presentation of the truth is not the objective for a business. The major media corporations are more concerned about profit rather than high quality reporting or journalism. The authoritarian regimes seek to stifle internet access to prevent exposure to new ideas or information reaching the wider world. Exposure to new ideas or ideology can disrupt the status quo in a repressive state. The internet has become a place in which information and news is limitless. Video sharing and original content for various individuals has exposed billions of people to different perspectives. Alternative media has emerged  as a challenger to mainstream news, which presents a simplistic or biased narrative. Although major cable news networks both local and international have an online presence, they still present the same message. The critical or serious analytical element is missing, yet is replaced with opinion presented as fact. Out of frustration, consumers have turned to alternative media. Fox News, CNN, CCtv, BBC, Africa News, Euronews,  France 24, and Russia Today either have a national  or political based biased that can be seen in their reporting. The internet allows users to seek out various websites and compare information. The challenge for the user is distinguishing between fact and erroneous claims.

      
There has been an increase in what has been called fake news. Websites and social media platforms have been spreading information that is not true or checked for accuracy. Fake news is not a new phenomenon seeing as there were cases in which false statements or accusations were made in newspapers and television. Jayson Blair a former New York Times  journalist fabricated stories in 2003 regarding the Iraq War. Articles were discovered to false by the staff and Blair was forced to resign. Incidents such as that have gradually cause a more suspicion  of the media by the public. The press has come under threat from the corporate model of news, censorship, and government hostility. The internet has for the most part avoided large scale censorship that television and radio has been faced with. The issues surrounding privacy and   technology companies using personal data has gained the attention of numerous political figures. The government's concern is not the theft of personal data or the violation of privacy, but a means of either having control or more strict regulation of the internet. If net neutrality is eradicated, press freedom could lose a valuable resource. Internet service providers could easily just reduce speeds to certain websites or worse by taking them off of search engine listings. With print media disappearing, it is critical that the consumers of news have access to multiple sources of information. Media literacy become more essential in a world that is driven by information.
        Electronic commerce has become a major economic development. It has revolutionized the way people purchase products. The driving force in the contemporary consumer culture is e-commerce. None of this would have been possible without internet freedom. People have the power to buy many products at any time of day. Amazon or E-Bay has a multitude of items ranging from clothing, books, electronics, clothes, and furniture. The difference is that a consumer can also engage in selling items. The option for the individual can be to set a certain price with the hope it get s the attention of a potential buyer.  E-commerce also contributes to the survival of small businesses. Compared to large and long running corporations, smaller businesses have difficulty competing in the market. The disadvantage is obvious in terms of advertisement. A corporation can have more resources devoted to buying air time, erecting billboards, or developing public relations campaigns. A small business or start-up does that have the finance for such ambitious projects. However, social media and websites can provide spaces for advertisement at minimal cost. This creates an equal atmosphere of market competition between small business and corporations.

    
Large corporations have the benefit of  having a lower federal  income tax  rate compared to smaller businesses. Having wider internet freedom encourages an expansion of small business, which will keep the economy diversified. There is a legitimate fear that monopolies could reemerge as corporations move to more amalgamation. This is occurring more so with media and entertainment.  Entertainment and other forms of media can benefit from internet freedom. Video streaming and sharing has change the way people watch movies and TV shows. It allows for a greater variety for the viewer to choose from. As time progresses, the internet will become a large section of the entertainment industry.  Internet freedom allows commerce to happen even without a physical store or market. Staring a business or company becomes much easier with the tools of the internet. Some believe that e-commerce has been causing the decline of traditional retail stores. What is not realized is that many stores are establishing websites and online shopping options. This allows more exposure of a company's brand to the wider public. The rise of e-commerce will continue and it will become more a part of  consumers lives. The amazing phenomenon is that the divide between consumer and producer may gradually disappear.
       Internet freedom has given the average person more knowledge than previous generations. Prior to the internet, the library, school, or a book was what people referred to. Now, a person can merely type on their laptop or phone and get answers to their questions. The internet has become a large encyclopedia of a vast assortment of human experience. Video streaming as also enabled an immense archive of prominent individuals and years gone by. Knowledge has become an even greater power and commodity in the modern world. The more a person knows, the more advantages they will have. Even though many would see the internet as nothing more than senseless entertainment or a frivolous waste of time, it can be used for learning. Public schools and universities realize that a contemporary workforce needs at least some basic computer literacy skills. Schools now offer coding and computer science courses to students. Living in a technological society requires a solid knowledge base. Just having knowledge stored is not enough; people must be taught how to decipher and interpret it.

Prior to technological advancements, it was difficult for the average person to gain access to knowledge. Information was either transmitted through oral traditions in many societies. The rise of writing and language made it so a person did not have to be reliant on their memory only. The printing press gave way to the increase in literacy and the rapid transfer of information. Books became  more available and libraries became open to the public. Newspapers could print faster with a printing press. Speed of information became more important as the centuries progressed. The 20th century brought into existence two influential  forms of technology which were radio and television. People could listen or look at what was happening around the world. The establishment of the World Wide Web in 1989 would amplify how fast and the total amount of information  the public could receive. The people of the world can witness events without even leaving their own country. Information on individuals, academic subjects, or entertainment can be accessed at anytime. Research and archiving has experienced  in a sense a renaissance. The internet can have a positive effect on education and the wider knowledge base of human civilization.  The internet can contribute the spreading of ideas and the preservation of the vast body of  knowledge.
        Internet freedom also ensures that activism can continue and get large portions of people involved in a cause. There is a negative consequence to this. Hate groups, terrorist organizations, organized crime, and cyber criminals can also use internet freedom to their advantage. The only way to counter extremism to confront it with activism and facts. Organizing has become much easier with social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook. Gathering people for a demonstration could be more complicated in the past. Making contact or attracting others to a cause would take considerable time and effort. The absence of internet freedom would mean movements such as Black Lives Matter or # Me Too may not have become as large or rapidly growing. Their is a limitation to the new wave of digital activism. Short attention spans and long term plans for change seem absent. There is the greater possibility of co-option at a faster rate. Leaders of social justice movements must be aware of this and learn to use the internet to their advantage. The term hacker has been given a negative connotation. Yet, some use their skill to expose or leak information that is deliberately hidden from the public. The exposure of government abuse and surveillance has caused many leaders  to seek more restriction to hide possible crimes.

The establishment of Wikileaks has made world leaders more nervous about possible leaks to the press. Julian Assange is not being charged because he committed a heinous act, rather he exposed  US war crimes in Iraq. The release of diplomatic cables cannot be considered classified information, yet the argument has been made it compromised national security. If Assange faces prison or possible execution then it will be a major loss for press and internet freedom. Eric Snowden who was a subcontractor for the CIA exposed the US government's expansive surveillance network of its own citizens. Both Assange and Snowden have been demonized by both government and mainstream media. Being a whistleblower  in an age of internet freedom has become easier, which puts political figures in a state of fear. No longer can acts of  corrupt  foreign  or domestic policy be denied when physical  evidence exists. The Panama Papers were leaked by an anonymous source, which revealed that world leaders and the business elite were using firms for tax evasion, fraud, or circumventing international sanctions. The documents were leaked from the former corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca. When more corruption is discovered, the greater the amount of public discord grows. Controlling the narrative seeks to keep people passive and accepting of violations or government abuse of power. Some who were active and fought to keep internet freedom alive were not so fortunate. Aron Swartz was a computer programmer and activist for internet freedom. Swartz was the founder of Demand Progress, an organization dedicated to human rights, an open internet, and transparency. Aron Swartz was also involved in the development of RSS, Creative Commons, one of the founders of Reddit, and the Markdown web publishing format. Swartz had the belief that knowledge should be free and available to everyone. Aron Swartz connected a computer to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology  network gaining access to academic journals. He was charged with under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Instead of facing a life sentence he chose suicide. Swartz's story is a tragic one, but makes it even more important to be aware about net neutrality and technology related issues. The new era of movements is going to have online activism being a part of their organizing strategies. 

          Internet freedom can protect free speech and expression to a greater extent than previously imagined. Discussions are more open in an online setting. The problem is that  can get more vitriolic and tribal. People have a tendency to associate both online and in real life with others who share their own views. So, a internet  user may not be getting more exposure to different ideas or belief systems. Inevitably they will seeing as the internet is an enormous entity of information. The way in which  a person articulates themselves online differs compared to seeing someone face to face. Online discussion can be more candid, at times more offensive, or too truthful for people to handle. There is a habit for some to impose self-censorship when debating sensitive issues. Certain topics are either ignored or not talked about at all. Racism, sexism, homophobia, police brutality, poverty, or corruption are topics that are avoided in common conversation. The internet through video displays the worst aspects of human cruelty and hatred. Without video sharing  websites, the public would not know the severe extent of police brutality. Generating conversation is the first step to initiating effective change. No topic or subject is off limits in digital space. Content can be violent, extreme, or artistic. The exchange of ideas and art can provide a creative outlet that no other medium can offer. Free speech can also be unlimited as well as expression. While a huge amount of  freedom can be a benefit, it comes with responsibility. Internet users mush be conscious of what they post or share both personally and professionally. Comments or pictures could instigate controversy and condemnation. Words do have power and it is proven with writing. New mediums always have a challenge or establishing appropriate conduct, but this is not a justification for censorship. Free speech and expression cannot exist under a society than wants everyone to adhere to a single mode of thought. The ability to share large amounts of data and information can ensure that free speech and expression has a future. 

       Net neutrality has been under attack and its effects could be devastating. Numerous global challenges do dominate including climate change, war, and poverty. It would seem that internet freedom should be a low priority. However, the only weapon that the oppressed or the struggling have is a platform to expose injustice. The mainstream media has failed in many regards in relation to reporting truth. Alternative media provides a more critical technique to global affairs. The corporate model focuses on establishing on narrative or  presents information based around a politically partisan spectrum. This distorts the view of the world, which is more complex than presented on television. Internet freedom allows a person to get access to different sources. The only way to foster media literacy is to see news from other countries and websites. Consumers must learn to see various media and compare. While some condemn or scapegoat the internet for particular troubles in society, the rise of technology should not be seen as a curse. Outcomes depend on how technology is used. E-commerce, online activism, and the spread of human knowledge is what the internet should be used for. A government controlled internet would be nothing more than a branch of a large propaganda arm. Regulations and laws are required to keep private data safe, stop online piracy,  and prevent cybercrime. However, laws should not be made to reduce a user's access  to information. Copyright should not be used as a means of corporations to hinder fair use. The internet was meant to be free and for everyone. The information age has enabled  the world to become a smaller place. An event that occurs on one part of the globe will effect the rest. More people will know about it and share information. Information technology has ushered in a possible fourth industrial revolution in which computers and artificial intelligence will be a part of our daily  lives.  Internet freedom is a human right, but at the moment few recognize it as such.        

     

The Arrest of Julian Assange and The Possibility of Extradition to The US

After years taking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Assange was arrested. Now there is discussion of possible extradition to the United States. This would certainly mean that Assange would not be given a fair trial for the crimes he allegedly committed with Wikileaks.  Assange has been targeted mainly because he has exposed war crimes committed in Iraq and Afghanistan by the United States. These arguments of endangering national security or enabling terrorist organizations lacks cogency. The United States government does not want to be exposed for its roles in atrocities and corruption, which could generate massive public outrage. Whistle blowers have been persecuted under both the Obama and Trump administrations. Julian Assange has not sold any of the information from Wikileaks to foreign entities or other nations for personal gain. Wikileaks mostly contains diplomatic cables, which are not classified information. The reason why Assange has become a target is due to the fact many nations have been revealed to be engaged in ethically questionable activities. The attack on Assange really is a means of stopping investigative journalism informing the public about abuses around the world. Governments may also use Wikileaks as an excuse to reduce or eliminate completely internet freedom. Free speech and press freedom are coming under attack by not just authoritarian states, but liberal democracies. The mainstream corporate media has demonized Assange as either a national threat or working on behalf of America's global competitors. If Julian Assange is given a prison term in the United States, it symbolizes a movement attempting to stifle independent press that voices dissent or opposing views. Wikileaks founded in 2006, may be permanently shut down or new measures would be employed to control what the public sees or reads on the internet. The mainstream media's inability or refusal the question American foreign policy demonstrates it is more interested in profit motives, rather than telling the truth. Julian Assange's extradition will be unfortunate news for supporters of transparency and media that does not follow one narrative in relation to world politics.    

Calls For Omar Bashir To Resign

There has been a growing movement of thousands demanding that President Omar al-Bashir resign. Protests have occurred before in Sudan under his long rule and this seems like one more attempt to change government. Leading the country since 1989, youthful Sudanese have not seen a change in leadership during their life time. As of this moment, it seems unlikely that his regime would collapse. If this grows to a bigger national movement and there is a removal of his government turbulence may follow. Just like Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt removal of longtime leaders is not a simple transition.  This can either lead to failed states or regimes that are more oppressive. Protests were not started by a political consciousness movement rather the shortage of food and rising prices. Al-Bashir wants to finish his term which will expire in 2020. Unless the constitution is changed, Omar Al-Bashir will not be eligible for re-election. Another problem going against the government is that opposition parties are also demanding his resignation. The two major political parties that support this are Reform Sudan Now Party. President Bashir has promised reform, but this may be too late for a Sudanese public that grows more frustrated.    

Noam Chomsky on Free Speech