US netizens in favour of government web censorship

By Lisa M Bowman

Americans don't seem to care if the US government removes public information from the internet in the name of national security, according to a new study examining web habits one year after the 11 September attacks.

The Pew Internet & American Life Project also found the attacks prompted more people to publish on the web and get in contact with long-lost friends and relatives via email.

"For tens of millions of Americans, the internet became a channel for anguished and prayerful gatherings, for heartfelt communication through email, and for vital information," the researchers said.

The study found that the attacks had a profound effect on people's opinions about public information posted on the web, even among those who generally favour disclosure.

A full 69 per cent of people surveyed said it is acceptable for the government to remove information the public wants or needs in the interest of keeping it out of terrorists' hands. However, only 49 per cent of the survey respondents think the move will actually help in the fight against terrorism.

Of those who think the government should post information about chemicals or chemical plants, 60 per cent said it should be taken down if it could help aid terrorists.

People are more divided when it comes to government monitoring of people's email and web habits. Just 45 per cent think the government should have the right to monitor such communications, while 47 per cent think it should not.

The attacks also altered how people and organisations use the web to get and disseminate information. In the year following 11 September, people sent more email, used more online news sites, and gave more donations online. According to the study, 19 million Americans used email to rekindle relationships with friends and family after the attacks.

The attacks also spawned a surge in what the survey calls "do-it-yourself journalism".

"In the days after the attacks, the web provided a broad catalogue of facts and fancy related to 11 September, ranging from eyewitness accounts from New York, Washington and across the nation, to government reports, to analysis from experts and amateurs," the study said.

Lisa M Bowman writes for News.com