Creeping censorship: Governments look to control online speech

At least a dozen countries have enacted laws that restrict online speech, and concern has grown that it’s the beginning, not the end of such restrictions.

China and Iran have restricted the online speech of their citizens for years, according to Yahoo! News. Now, countries such as Brazil, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bolivia, Kenya, and Nigeria are considering following in their footsteps.

A report on internet governance from the OECD, prepared by the London-based Chatham House and the Centre for International Governance Innovation, describes of dangers of governments restricting free speech and controlling content on the internet.

The risks mentioned in the report include intrusive surveillance, rising cybercrime, and fragmentation.

Advocates of restricting online speech say some of the proposals would criminalize conversations that “disturb the public order” or “convey false statements.” Critics say that those measures could curtail political speech.