Monday, 27 November 2006
By Sabria S Jawhar
The Saudi Gazette
When people gave up using the media as a tool because business or government controlled it, they shifted to the Internet that is free from such constraints. Since then, the Internet has become a loudspeaker for people to express their opinions without any fear or hesitation. It reaches more people than any other medium and has become a true example of democratic communication.
When the Internet was introduced here, Saudis hoped their society would be open to the world.
Internet became a window, which would make their voices heard across the world. However, the purposes for which it has come to be used varies from scientific and communicative to defamation and spreading racist propaganda and religious hatred.
It is also used by extremists to incite hatred and spread their so-called news of victories. Some governments frequently visit extremists’ websites to collect intelligence.
Everyone agrees that freedom of speech is a basic right for every human being. But what we must consider when we talk about the Internet is what happens if this “freedom of speech” is harming other people? Should free speech be stopped at a certain level so that it doesn’t unjustly affect others?
The debate about the merits of the Internet will always continue. It is not limited to Saudi Arabia or the Arab world. Even in the West people wonder whether some voices should be heard wand others censored. And if they should be censored, where should the line be drawn?
Using the Internet for posting racist or hateful comments should not push us to promote the idea of censorship and give it undeserved legitimacy. Freedom of speech stimulates creativity, social evolution, and makes for good government. But when we promote freedom of speech in a developing nation we must keep in mind the fact that malicious rumors can cause violence and sufferering. It can destroy the future of any person or family.
In Saudi Arabia, for instance, the government censors websites that are perceived as harmful to Islam, national security and social values. Yet nothing is done concerning those sites that harm the fabric of the society by defaming people either for personal reasons or hidden agendas.
This makes us wonder why if they have the ability to track those who post or spread information that endanger the nation’s security, why ever indeed don’t they do the same with those who use the religion as an excuse to defame people and label them as infidel?
Internet users in Saudi Arabia, for instance, are familier with some websites where a group of people with hidden agendas post false information about anyone who does not agree with them or with their ideology. Moreover, they turn people against others without any proof. They use those sites as a force to hire and fire officials by defaming them.
Sometimes they go so far as to call for the killing or physical harassment of someone in the name of religion. They forget even the simplest teachings of Islam. Isn’t it the same Islam that they are promoting that says “O you who believe! If a Fasiq (liar-evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what have you done.” Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:6.
Where is the government when it comes to those people who endanger others’ lives and incite violence? Aren’t those people as dangerous to the country’s security as those who promote terrorism?
Those who use Internet sites to spread sectarian division in Saudi society should be held accountable. It would stand against every legal mind and every human rights activist in the country. But isn’t the price of freedom less than the damage being done?
The time has come for directives and national laws to be enacted that make the Internet a better medium for learning and communication.
Moderators should stop those flamers from using technology to destroy others. Defaming and inflammatory comments should be withdrawn without a question at least till people know and appreciate what freedom of speech means.
By Sabria S Jawhar
The Saudi Gazette
When people gave up using the media as a tool because business or government controlled it, they shifted to the Internet that is free from such constraints. Since then, the Internet has become a loudspeaker for people to express their opinions without any fear or hesitation. It reaches more people than any other medium and has become a true example of democratic communication.
When the Internet was introduced here, Saudis hoped their society would be open to the world.
Internet became a window, which would make their voices heard across the world. However, the purposes for which it has come to be used varies from scientific and communicative to defamation and spreading racist propaganda and religious hatred.
It is also used by extremists to incite hatred and spread their so-called news of victories. Some governments frequently visit extremists’ websites to collect intelligence.
Everyone agrees that freedom of speech is a basic right for every human being. But what we must consider when we talk about the Internet is what happens if this “freedom of speech” is harming other people? Should free speech be stopped at a certain level so that it doesn’t unjustly affect others?
The debate about the merits of the Internet will always continue. It is not limited to Saudi Arabia or the Arab world. Even in the West people wonder whether some voices should be heard wand others censored. And if they should be censored, where should the line be drawn?
Using the Internet for posting racist or hateful comments should not push us to promote the idea of censorship and give it undeserved legitimacy. Freedom of speech stimulates creativity, social evolution, and makes for good government. But when we promote freedom of speech in a developing nation we must keep in mind the fact that malicious rumors can cause violence and sufferering. It can destroy the future of any person or family.
In Saudi Arabia, for instance, the government censors websites that are perceived as harmful to Islam, national security and social values. Yet nothing is done concerning those sites that harm the fabric of the society by defaming people either for personal reasons or hidden agendas.
This makes us wonder why if they have the ability to track those who post or spread information that endanger the nation’s security, why ever indeed don’t they do the same with those who use the religion as an excuse to defame people and label them as infidel?
Internet users in Saudi Arabia, for instance, are familier with some websites where a group of people with hidden agendas post false information about anyone who does not agree with them or with their ideology. Moreover, they turn people against others without any proof. They use those sites as a force to hire and fire officials by defaming them.
Sometimes they go so far as to call for the killing or physical harassment of someone in the name of religion. They forget even the simplest teachings of Islam. Isn’t it the same Islam that they are promoting that says “O you who believe! If a Fasiq (liar-evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what have you done.” Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:6.
Where is the government when it comes to those people who endanger others’ lives and incite violence? Aren’t those people as dangerous to the country’s security as those who promote terrorism?
Those who use Internet sites to spread sectarian division in Saudi society should be held accountable. It would stand against every legal mind and every human rights activist in the country. But isn’t the price of freedom less than the damage being done?
The time has come for directives and national laws to be enacted that make the Internet a better medium for learning and communication.
Moderators should stop those flamers from using technology to destroy others. Defaming and inflammatory comments should be withdrawn without a question at least till people know and appreciate what freedom of speech means.
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