Dissertation Plan - How Does the Censorship of Information Affect Society - (Printing press & Internet)

I have wrote a rough plan of what I want to include within my dissertation and the questions I would like answering. I have slightly veered off again with my idea and have been researching into censorship and how this is also becoming present in today's society. What we essentially saw 500 years ago with the printing press we are experiencing today with the use of the internet. Many countries have censorship software installed which limits the population from accessing certain websites. I think this is wrong in my opinion and it essentially keeps the world sheltered from what is going on. By blocking information the government are essentially censoring reality, it is a forma of social control dictating what we can  and cant access information to. 

There is allot going on with the web at the moment and many file sharing sites seem to be under attack for copyright laws. But in today's society these laws have been pushed to the extreme and nowadays everyone is being sued left right and center in a world that revolves around money. The copyright law used to be there in order to protect creativity but nowadays its just as tool to milk money out of those who break the law. The essay will look at the affects of the printing press and how censorship was a bad option then and how It is happening all over again in today's society, different information is being censored now to what it was back then but we are still experiencing a war on our freedom of speech. Times are changing and the industries need to change with the technology and not sue or censor those who are essentially paving the way for the future. I want to look at who is being affected now a days and the social and moral implications of this and try and explore the benefits of this powerful technology, whilst also taking into account points of view from both aspects of the argument.

Introduction

What is censorship?
What methods have been used in the past?
How has censorship affected society?
Why is the dissemination of information important?
What I will be looking at?
What I want to find out...

The Printing Press

Brief History of the press / Gutenberg
Why was this a break through in communication?

• Importance of Dissemination of Information
• Reformation / Scientific Revolution / Renaissance
• Spread of New ideas and Theories
• Enlightenment
• Standardization of Information
• Reorganization of data
• Research Collection changed
• Changed the way we learn
• Accelerated new science and knowledge
• Ability to collaborate and improve results
• Social Concerns - bridged the gap between town and gown

Censorship of the Press

• Who enforced censorship
• What did they censor?
• Why they did do it?
• What affects did this have? 
• How did they do it?
• Where did it happen?
• Who was censored?

The Internet

• How has communication progressed?
• Why was the internet created?
• Why do we use the internet?
• What are the uses today?
• Who uses it?
• How has it changed the way we learn?
• Links between the press and web
• Social concerns of the web

Censorship of the Web

• Who is enforcing the censorship?
• Where is this happening?
• What is being Censored?
• Why is it being Censored? 
• Who is affected by censorship?
• How is being done?
• What are the social and moral concerns?
• Examples - Pirate Bay 
• Wiki leaks shows what governments are trying to cover up.

Conclusion

• Whats in store for the future with a censored web?
• Summary of arguement.
• Importance of freedom of speech
• Importance of protecting youth

Primary Research Ideas

In terms of primary research, I am slightly struggling to think of ways I can go about getting the information I need. The only thing I can think to do is to carry out surveys / questionaires finding out about peoples experiences with cencorship and first had accounts of why they censor or why they have been censored.

Questionaire / Survey   - General Public

• What are their views on internet censorship
• What do they think internet censorship is
• What content they think is being blocked
• Does this affect them
• Have they ever experienced any online censorship? - youtube, unrestricted access, country specific, social media 
• How they think this affects others
• What are their social concerns with censorship
• What are risks

Questionnaire / Survey  - Companies which censors the internet (College)

• Why do they censor the web?
• What is blocked?
• What is their views on mass internet censorship?
• Do they think it is beneficial or a hinderence?
• How do you decided what is deemed unfit for viewing?
• Is this an internal policy?

Physical Examples of Censorship

• Photography of Censored information / adverts
• Internet Restrictions / Blocked websites

Practical Research Ideas - Publication

For my practical response to the brief I want to look at how we are being censored online and in our everyday lives. I think that we are being kept in the dark about allot of things and I want to create a publication which educates the public about the risks we face if we allow our government to restrict our access to information. We can see how badly this works in other countries and is just a method of control. There are obviously reasons for censoring certain information but in a way it is censoring the truth of the world, and the population needs to be kept in the loop. We have to be careful what information we take on board nowadays because the media is built on a bunch of lies in order to keep the government on the peoples good side.

• Find ways in which I can censor information
• "Censorship doesn't tell the truth"
• "Censorship causes blindness"
• "Sorry page not found 404 error"
• "Corruption causes censorship" - big money
• "Content not available in your country"
• "Books Burn Ideas Dont"
• How can censorship affect everyday life?
• Cut out elements
• Cover up - stickers
• Perferations
• Hidden content
• CODES? - secret codes