Social media, texting and the Internet have given oppressed people the power to organize, communicate dissent and help lead revolutions throughout the world. While the Arab Spring in 2011 brought attention to "Facebook revolutions" in Tunisia, Egypt and other nations, the rise of global free speech around the world was happening in many more places for many more years. This collection of PBS MediaShift stories from 2006 to 2013 goes from China to Burma to Russia to Southern Sudan and beyond, looking at how average people used technology and social media to discuss and organize in places where governments cracked down on free expression. The stories also include updates on what's happening currently in those places. Unfortunately, many governments have made Internet and social media censorship their focus, passing new restrictive laws to hinder online speech or block sites wholesale. The good news is that activists and people who want to spread the word now have a global outlet in the Internet, with blogs, social media, YouTube and other tools.

This collection of thirteen new essays is the first to examine, from a range of disciplinary perspectives, how the new technologies and global reach of the Internet are changing the theory and practice of free speech. The rapid expansion of online communication, as well as the changing roles of government and private organizations in monitoring and regulating the digital world, give rise to new questions, including: How do philosophical defenses of the right to freedom of expression, developed in the age of the town square and the printing press, apply in the digital age? Should search engines be covered by free speech principles? How should international conflicts over online speech regulations be resolved? Is there a right to be forgotten that is at odds with the right to free speech? How has the Internet facilitated new speech-based harms such as cyber-stalking, twitter-trolling, and revenge porn, and how should these harms be addressed? The contributors to this groundbreaking volume include philosophers, legal theorists, political scientists, communications scholars, public policy makers, and activists.

The internet makes sharing ideas and communicating easy, and it connects individuals and communities like never before. However, with so much power available to the masses, should people be allowed to say whatever they want? Should there be consequences for spreading hate and harassing others online? This volume explores these and other important questions, with full-color photographs, annotated quotes from experts, and detailed sidebars providing a comprehensive review of the many points of view on these issues. Readers learn about free speech in an increasingly globalized and technologically advanced society, as well as their role in creating online culture.

In “The Cyber Law Handbook: Bridging the Digital Legal Landscape,” we delve into the complex and ever-evolving field of cyber law, an area that has become increasingly significant in our digital age. This comprehensive guide navigates through the intricate web of legalities in cyberspace, addressing the fundamental concepts, jurisdictional challenges, and the impact of technological advancements on legal frameworks. From the foundational aspects of cyber law to the latest developments in blockchain technology and emerging tech, each chapter is meticulously crafted to provide insights into how the law intersects with the digital world. The book is designed not only for legal professionals but also for students, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the legal dynamics of the digital era.

With more than 1000 newspapers, 1100 local radios, 200 television channels, 3000 online news portals, and over 80 colleges providing media education and training, news media, and media education are vibrant fields in Nepal. This book provides a comprehensive overview of Nepal’s news media, including empirical studies, critical reviews, and theoretical and philosophical analyses focusing on journalism and contemporary media practices in the country, using local standpoints and global perspectives. Laying foundations of academic research and discourse, it explores key issues about the state of media and journalism practices of Nepal and situates them against the professional standards of global journalism and journalism education. The book covers all news media, including traditional (newspaper, radio, and television) and digital platforms.

This edited volume addresses current challenges, trends and transformations in global communication governance. Exploring changes in the actors, issues, values and contexts of media and communications, it investigates the crossroads that media policy is facing and offers visions for the future. A diverse range of scholars and expert practitioners discuss what regulatory reforms and governing mechanisms are required to advance democratic participation and fundamental rights in platform societies. Organized around five sections, the volume considers the geopolitics of emerging communication orders; the changing roles of actors and stakeholders; the challenge of embedding rights and values in regulatory arrangements; the intersection of technology and policy; and the need to rethink epistemologies and methodologies for researching this field. Contributions from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds include provocative think pieces and longer analyses. All chapters are grounded in historically-aware understandings of contemporary transformations, while anticipating dynamics of our communication futures.

""Freedom of Speech: The Cornerstone of Democracy in a Rapidly Changing World"" examines the crucial role of free expression in modern society, exploring its historical evolution, current challenges, and future implications. This thought-provoking book delves into the complex interplay between freedom of speech and the digital age, addressing issues such as misinformation, hate speech, and the influence of social media platforms on public discourse. The book traces the development of free speech from ancient Greece to present-day landmark Supreme Court cases, providing essential context for understanding its enduring importance. It argues that while freedom of speech remains fundamental to democracy, its interpretation must evolve to address contemporary challenges. By examining the topic through legal, sociological, and technological lenses, the book offers a comprehensive view of free speech in the modern world. What sets this work apart is its nuanced approach to a often polarizing subject, seeking a balance between preserving free expression and addressing concerns about its misuse. Through real-world examples, case studies, and interviews with experts, the book offers valuable insights for policymakers, legal professionals, and concerned citizens alike. It equips readers with the knowledge to engage meaningfully in ongoing debates about the future of free speech in our rapidly changing society.

This book offers a new theoretical framework for free speech by critically analyzing the major justifications for free speech. Unlike most theories that justify free speech on single grounds, this book argues for a justification; namely the double grounded principled approach; that combines and revises the arguments of equal autonomy and democratic participation at the same time. It claims that a revised and critical blending of these two justifications can serve free speech to be grounded on strong principled arguments. The book has both a theoretical and practical focus: first, it discusses the conceptual circumstances of free speech and major theoretical justifications for free speech and then, it applies the developed theoretical framework to the cases of academic freedom, media freedom and hate speech separately. This volume will appeal to readers who are interested in general free speech theories as well as readers who look for an alternative view on specific topics such as academic freedom, media freedom and hate speech.

In today's interconnected world driven by rapid technological advancements, ethical considerations have become more crucial than ever. "Ethics in Technology: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in the Digital World" explores the complex intersection of technology and ethics, providing a comprehensive guide to understanding, analyzing, and addressing ethical challenges in the digital age. This book covers a wide range of topics, from AI ethics and data privacy to cybersecurity and the impact of social media. Through insightful discussions, real-world case studies, and practical guidance, this handbook is essential reading for technologists, policymakers, educators, and anyone concerned with the ethical implications of technology. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and shape a responsible technological future.

This is a must-read volume on globalization in which some of the foremost scholars in the field discuss the latest issues. Truly providing a global perspective, it includes authorship and discussions from the Global North and South, and covers the major facets of globalization: cultural, economic, ecological and political. It discusses the historical developments in governance preceding globalization, the diverse theoretical and methodological approaches to globalization, and analyzes underdevelopment, anti-globalization movements, global poverty, global inequality, and the debates on international trade versus protectionism. Finally, the volume looks to the future and provides prospects for inter-civilizational understanding, rapprochement, and global cooperation. This will be of great interest to academics and students of sociology, social anthropology, political science and international relations, economics, social policy, social history, as well as to policy makers.