World Wide Web – freedom of speech vs scaremongering

Sir Tim Berners-Lee is concerned that the web is being used to scaremonger information and is losing its democracy through increasing corporate presence. But surely the majority of media, be it print, online or broadcast, will always be subject to advertising and political leanings of the owner. Using the media and marketing to influence citizens the world over is not unprecedented. Yes, Sir Tim is correct in saying that in recent years we have seen an increase in corporate ‘vested interests’ online, but it is not the sole domain of the Web. Other examples of scaremongering include the Salem Witchcraft trials of the late 17^th Century and 390,000 England and Wales citizens making official their devotion to the Jedi ‘faith’ for the 2001 census.

I wonder if Sir Tim sees the web as a technological Frankenstein – it seemed a great idea at the time (anything does after the first bottle of bubbly) but has morphed out of control causing the destruction of society’s civil liberties in its wake? But no! Don’t worry Tim, we’ve got ANPR and ID cards to do that!

But, these comments are surely not what Sir Tim wants our focus on at this point in time. He’s recently unveiled plans to launch the World Wide Web Foundation, which aims to make it easier for people to get online in a world where currently, 80% of the world’s population don’t have access to the web. What the Web gives is the wondrous right to freedom of speech – and this should be available to us all.