Hackers On The Internet That Public Dollar Funded. Essay, Research Paper

The two articles that I have chosen are both from magazines. The first periodical is Earth Island Journal and the other is Christianity Today. The Internet was initially developed for the military to send information quickly in case of war. This sending of information then became available only to learning institutions for research; private enterprise was not allowed to conduct business. Corporations that conduct business on the Internet are visitors, not owners of this vehicle! The government should not be protectors of big business on the Internet!

The Earth Island Journal cover has a large globe with the name of the magazine circling. The globe is simplistic in detail, having the water in light blue and the land being white. It doesn’t have the impact of a magazine that would startle the viewer as a commercial publication would. The cover is synonymous with the message that is trying to be conveyed, simplicity, and cleanliness, which is how the writers of this magazine want the world to be.

Christianity Today has a man who appears to be a priest, with thick black-rimmed glasses. The only part of him shown is from the shoulders and up. He appears to be between fifty and seventy, wearing a black robe with a white collar. The background color, which surrounds him, is a dark tan color. There would be nothing in this cover that grabs the viewer in shock or mistrust.

The two articles cover the same subject, computer hacking, yet has a different approach. Christianity Today article is titled “Feds Teach Kids Not To Hack,” while the Earth Island Journal article is “Let the Cyberwars Begin.” From the titles it becomes apparent these articles will have contrasting viewpoints on this subject.

Earth Island Journal explains how the Internet in the mid-eighties was not allowed to have corporate business being conducted. Its main purpose was for government scientists and scholars as a research tool. In this time the amount of money and superior equipment didn’t matter, this created a level playing field for everyone who had access. This changed in 1994 when the Internet was “privatized” by the government for corporate colonization. “As the Internet becomes more important to our daily lives, this initiative will help kids make informed decisions about online behavior”, states Harris N. Miller, ITAA president.

This idea communicates to the population, always concede to big business and government. Harlen Jones a professor at Xavier University’s Clyburn College in Cincinnati, says,” he believes the justice departments willingness to admit that kids need a moral compass indicated the depth and scope of the departments Internet concerns.” Is this case about morality? Or is it telling kids to never retaliate against the system when it is inconvenient to the system. The opinion of Earth Island Journal is one step ahead of the other magazines. Earth Island Journal is protesting in response to private businesses creation of rules for their own profit, while Christianity Today is completely handing over control to the government and businesses to act as greedily as they please, while influencing the public to act responsibly.

An overview of both magazines reveals the belief systems and the message that each is trying to project. Christianity Today has many articles on moral living for the individual and society. These moral codes all have roots that come from the Bible. It became evident that many of these regulations diminished the individuality that people require to express themselves, which is entirely opposite from what Earth Island Journal was proposing. Many articles focused on the individual making a difference and correcting an injustice for human rights or global ecology rights.

The contrast is evident in that sometimes non-ethical tactics must be used in fighting for what is believed right, while the other states that creating disturbances is always wrong even if the entity that is being fought is immoral or unjust.

The Internet is still a fairly new medium and doesn’t have many rules and regulations. Both articles have different points on this subject. Earth Island Journal states that the Internet was made with public dollars and therefore should be free for everyone, but in order to get connected you must pay a price and this is the reason for individuals retaliating. The Cybercitizen Partnership Awareness Campaign states, “children, young adults and their parents and teachers on the ethical use of the Internet and the limits of acceptable online behavior.” Christianity Today concurs that hacking and destroying property is wrong even if the corporations and government do not regulate or own it. There is also debate about what should be allowed on the Internet. Steve Walters, an Internet research analyst for Focus on the Family says, “We agree that kids need to have timeless virtues emphasized in their school curricula, but we also believe it is important to teach kids that those values transcend Internet use.” This affirms Christianity Today beliefs of no sexual, anti-religious or vulgar content. Earth Island Journal declares that it should be

unregulated and free to place any content because of the freedom of speech act. The audience that Earth Island Journal attracts is free thinkers that fight for what they believe is just, while preserving human rights and the environment. Christianity Today may have a following of believers in strict morality that stem from the bible. The advertising in these magazines coincides with the values and beliefs. Earth Island Journal has advertisements on natural vitamins, foods without preservatives and hybrid vehicles that use less gas. Christianity Today has ads on Bible covers, church camps and the Bible on video.

The same issue can be interpreted many different ways. If the writer or publications has a certain belief system then it is likely that the issue will reflect these same values. For this reason it is difficult to be completely unbiased. These two articles also approached the same subject from different angles as to reflect their maxim on others.

References:

Veekner, Jody. “Feds Teach Kids Not To Hack.” Christianity Today 19 February 2001

Smith, Gar. “Let the Cyberwars Begin!” Earth Island Journal Summer 2000