Where Censorship in the E.U. is Headed
One recent move by the European Union involving censorship is seen in its use of the concept in trade agreements. In an effort to improve and promote freedom of expression in an “unusual, but effective way,” as stated by European Parliament member Juels Maaten, the European Union is controlling its trade barriers based upon other countries' Internet censorship practices. This amendment is a step in the direction of a Global Online Freedom Act for the European Union, similar to that of the United States. The proposal specifically states that its aim is to “deal with all restrictions to the provision of Internet and information society services by European companies in third countries as part of its external trade policy and to consider all unnecessary limitation to the provision of those services to be trade barriers.” This is an interesting concept, as it can be gathered from information throughout this website that there are multiple strategies adopted by multiple countries in terms of censorship, due in part to the fact that each country has its own specific problems. Issues of government authority, culture and even morals differ by region, so it may be difficult for the European Union to come to a clear consensus as to what should or should not be censored. In the future this line of thought is not expected to end with this proposal, but extend further throughout the European government and affect all trade agreements.
This proposal attacks countries that thoroughly restrict what its population can see online, such as China, which is known for its heavy internet censorship. By using the proposal to target countries like these, the European Union will send a strong message globally that they stand for uninhibited access to the internet, although they themselves filter some of their own internet content. This, for many, may amount to a case of hypocrisy, and be used to cast light on the validity of the proposal. Although the proposal is being enacted by the European Union, it has a direct effect on economies around the world and will surely receive negative feedback.
Coming from another angle, the European Union’s proposal will also target companies that further censorship in the above mentioned countries, such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. This tactic is summed up in the statement that, “It is intolerable that Western businesses should be helping repressive governments to trample human rights underfoot.” The proposal claims that companies such as these continue practices such as the “Chinese Firewall” and are therefore part of the problem. This is an interesting tactic; since many of the companies are not based in the country where the censorship is taking place, one may argue that they are in some areas enhancing freedom on the internet, not only restricting it, but this is an argument that will most definitely be addressed in the future. This tactic moves censorship away from preserving human rights and makes the process more about economics and money.
In the days to come, it is very likely that we will see the European Union moving to adopt many of the ideas currently implemented in the United States, as European leaders such as Jules Maaten state that “Free speech much remain the basis of the Internet. Europe should follow the American example where legislators are working on a Global Online Freedom Act.”